The
SOUTHERN OCEAN Times Vol. 13 - No. 29
In This Week’s Edition
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After Teen Suicides, Forked River Resident Takes Action
Photo courtesy Diehl family Chelsea Diehl is remembered by her family and friends as a bright, spirited young girl who loved cheerleading and brought joy to those around her.
(Neighbors - See Page 6)
Dr. Izzy Sound News
Inside The Law Page 17
Classifieds Page 18
Local Neighbors Remember Victims Of Piscataway Tragedy By Stephanie Faughnan BARNEGAT - Two Barnegat residents were among four people killed at a Piscataway home on January 5, according to a statement released by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. Authorities confirmed that Richard A. Barnes, 86, and Brenda F. Barnes, 84, were found deceased inside the home. The couple lived in one of the senior developments in Barnegat. A third victim, their daughter, Jeanmarie Barnes, 60, was also found dead at the scene. The release identifies a civilian killed by police as Jordan Barnes, 29, of Piscataway, who was shot by a Piscataway police officer during a response to a domestic emergency.
Pages 7-11, 14
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January 17, 2026
Photo courtesy Melissa Loutas Families of two of the Lacey students lost to suicide stand with Melissa Loutas, founder of Helping Assist with Melis in front of their children’s pictures.
Photo courtesy Watkins family By Stephanie Daniel Watkins, a Lacey High Faughnan School senior, was a member L AC E Y – of a band and hoped to beForked R iver come a diesel mechanic resident Melissa Loutas did not set out to become a voice for suicide prevention. It is a role she stepped into after loss kept finding its way too close to home. For Loutas, the work began long before she founded Helping Assist with Melis as a nonprofit,
and before suicide prevention became its central mission. It began with grief layered upon grief, and with a period of quiet unraveling she now speaks about openly. In July 2020, her father died of stage four cancer on his 60th birthday. The loss followed years of watching him battle the disease and left her emotionally unmoored. “I was grieving in a way I didn’t expect,” Loutas (Suicides - See Page 4)
Major Turnover Reshapes County Leadership
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER - Ocean County government entered 2026 amid one of its most significant leadership transitions in decades, with a Board of Commissioners that looks markedly different from just a few years ago. At the county’s January 7 reorganization meeting, commissioners set the direction for the year ahead while acknowledging recent changes in leadership. While the meeting included ceremonial swearings-in, several officials had already taken
the oath, including Sheriff Michael Mastronardy, County Clerk Jack Kelly, and Deputy Clerk Ashley Lamb. John Catalano will continue serving as one of two deputy clerks under Kelly. Commissioners Sam Ellenbogen and Ray Gormley were sworn into office on January 2. In just two years, the five-member Board of Commissioners has turned over completely with previous members deciding not to seek reelection. This year, Virginia Haines and Jack
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan The Ocean County Board of Commissioners following the county’s 2026 reorganization meeting. From left: Robert Arace, Deputy Director Jennifier Bacchione, Director Frank Sadeghi, Sam Ellenbogen, and Ray Gormley.
(Leadership - See Page 5)
Grants To Fund Resiliency And Infrastructure Projects
By Joe Murray STAFFORD - Several major infrastructure and environmental resiliency initiatives will advance after millions of dollars in state and federal grant funding were secured, Mayor Robert Henken announced during a recent Township Council meeting. The township will receive $5 million from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to support the Stafford Resiliency Program, a large-scale environmental restoration effort aimed at
protecting coastal communities. The project will restore approximately 23 acres of tidal salt marsh, helping to mitigate the impacts of sea level rise and storm surge while improving water quality. “These marshes help protect Beach Haven West and surrounding communities through wave attenuation and natural water filtration,” Henken said. Township Administrator Matt Von der Hayden said the initiative builds on earlier restoration work (Grants - See Page 6)
The AI Stock That Couldn’t Think For Itself 11