2026-01-31 - The Southern Ocean Times

SOUTHERN OCEAN

Why ‘Route 72 West’ Doesn’t Mean What You Think

By Stephanie Faughnan STAFFORD –

It started with a sign that seemed simple enough. Posted at the longtime ShopRite along Route 72, it announced the store’s relocation to 733 Route 72 West, Manahawkin. For many drivers, especially those who know the road by heart, one single word was enough to create immediate confusion. “West?”

Route 72 is a familiar corridor for errands, dining stops, and last-minute shopping before crossing the bridge to Long Beach Island. The location of the longstanding ShopRite is well known. It sits along the eastbound side of Route 72 and has been part of the routine for years.

That familiarity is exactly what made the new address so hard to accept. To most people, “Route 72 West” suggests the westbound side of the highway. Across the street. The opposite side from where the store has always been. It seemed logical that the new ShopRite must be somewhere over there.

Those unfamiliar with the store’s new location may find themselves making a series of u-turns in search of it. Drivers coming off the Garden State Parkway heading east may not

even notice they’ve missed it well before they’ve reached the old location.

The new ShopRite is in the former Kmart building, which has stood vacant since 2017. It sits on the same side of Route 72, west of the old store’s closing location. The building was never the mystery, especially for locals. The address was. Both the old and new ShopRite locations carry Route 72 West addresses de -

spite sitting on the eastbound side of the highway.

Even The State Could Not Explain It As questions grew, calls went out looking for an explanation. The New Jersey Department of Transportation was contacted. Route 72 is a state highway, and it seemed reasonable to assume the

(Route 72 - See Page 2)

First Ocean County EMT Class Graduates

By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY – Grad-

uates of Ocean County’s first class of emergency medical technicians were recognized at Ocean County College. The ceremony marked the launch of a county-run EMT training program created to address a growing shortage of volunteer and career responders.

The inaugural Basic EMT Class 001 was held at the Ocean

County Fire and EMS Training Center. Developed in partnership with EMS Consulting Services, the program represents the first time Ocean County has sponsored and operated its own EMT training academy rather than relying on hospitals or outside providers.

The class began in September with 20 recruits. Fifteen students completed the program and crossed the stage during the grad-

uation ceremony, cheered on by family members, fellow EMTs, instructors and county leaders.

Most of the graduates are affiliated with volunteer first aid squads that serve communities throughout Ocean County. Manchester Township Emergency Medical Services was the lone career agency represented in the class, underscoring the continued reliance on volunteer

Little Egg Town Hall Back On Market

By Stephanie Faughnan

LITTLE EGG HARBOR

– The former Little Egg Harbor municipal complex at 7 Gifford Road has been placed on the market and offered for sale through an online government surplus auction, under terms requiring formal Township Committee approval before any transfer of ownership can be finalized.

The opening bid for the property is $650,000 with $5,000 bid increments expected for the 10,700-square-foot office building advertised with redevelopment potential in a high-traffic corridor. According to the listing, the site was sold “as is, where is,” with bidders responsible for inspections, title work, and closing costs. The auction materials also established a minimum bid, a required deposit to participate, and a fixed closing period following the award of the high bid, which must be approved by the governing body before the sale could proceed. The auction was scheduled to conclude January 28, with an in-person inspection period held earlier in the month on January 13. As of January 26, the bid close date was moved to February 26, with inspections by appointment. Final approval of the highest bidder was expected to be made at the Township Committee’s February 12 meeting before the transaction can be completed. That date is subject to change.

Bidders were required to meet up-front financial conditions. The auction preview specified

(Town Hall - See Page 2) (Graduates - See Page 4)

Local Drummer To Perform With 1,000 Musicians

By Bob Vosseller BRICK

– A township man will be performing with Rockin’1000 on January 31 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Rockin’1000 is dubbed “the biggest band in the world.” Originally created in Cesena ,

Italy, more than 1,000 musicians play and sing simultaneously with a setlist of rock music from various decades. The group originally assembled in July 2015 under the direction of Marco Sabiu as as a way to ask the Foo Fighters to visit Cese -

na. It was organized as a crowdfunding effort by Fabio Zaffagnini

The upcoming New Year’s Eve show marks the first time performing in the United States. The two-hour concert has a special guest director, singer (Drummer - See Page 5)

Route 72:

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agency responsible for it would understand how its addresses worked.

That assumption did not help.

Despite overseeing Route 72, state officials could not determine the logic behind the East and West designations. It became clear the answer had nothing to do with highway engineering.

A postmaster in a nearby community proved more helpful. While unable to provide a full explanation, the postal official pointed in the right direction. This was a local matter. The Stafford Township Postmaster or the township tax assessor would

Town Hall:

Continued From Page 1

a $1,025 per-asset bid deposit to participate. Once the auction closed and a bidder was awarded the property, full payment was due within five business days, made directly to the township.

Before it was listed as a redevelopment opportunity, the Gifford Road property served as the center of township government. The building previously housed Little Egg Harbor’s administrative offices and police department until municipal operations were relocated to the Administrative Justice Complex on Radio Road. Since that move, the structure has remained under township

know.

That advice led to clarity.

Stafford Township Tax Assessor Jim Mancini provided the explanation that finally made sense of the confusion.

Route 9 is the dividing line.

“I’ve worked for Stafford for the last 25 years and that’s how it’s always been,” Mancini said.

Along Route 72, East and West designations are assigned based on whether a property falls east or west of Route 9 in township records. The labels are not based on which side of Route 72 a building sits on and have nothing to do with traffic direction.

On a map, the system is consistent. From behind the wheel, it feels anything but.

ownership, periodically drawing interest as officials considered long-term options for reuse or sale.

According to the listing, the main floor is approximately 6,700 square feet, with approximately 4,000 square feet downstairs. The current zoning for the property is General Business.

The current sale returns attention to a property that was previously considered for a very different use.

Homeless Shelter Plan

In October 2024, the Township Committee adopted an ordinance authorizing negotiations with Family Promise of the Jersey Shore, a nonprofit organization that supports families experiencing

Drivers’ Expectations

The misunderstanding is easy to see when looking at nearby businesses that appear to follow the logic drivers expect.

Manera’s, at 291 Route 72 East, is located on the eastbound side of the highway. The address matches what most people assume makes sense.

On the westbound side of the highway, heading back toward the Garden State Parkway, Panera Bread sits at 410 Route 72 West. The fact that it is close enough to be described as “across the street” from the new ShopRite only adds to the confusion.

Drivers who rely on Google Maps or Waze may be amused by how those services handle the distinction. In many cases, locations ap-

homelessness. The ordinance allowed the township to explore selling the former town hall building for use as what would have become Ocean County’s first dedicated family shelter.

The ordinance did not approve a final sale. It authorized township officials and Family Promise to enter into contract negotiations. Those negotiations ultimately did not result in a purchase agreement.

“Family Promise of the Jersey Shore was not awarded the funding needed to purchase the proposed building,” said Elizabeth Golla, executive director of Family Promise of the Jersey Shore. “Instead, the funding was granted to another nonprofit organization, re -

pear simply as “NJ-72,” with either a Stafford or Manahawkin designation, quietly sidestepping the East and West labels altogether. Layered on top of the East and West puzzle is another source of confusion. Manahawkin is not its own municipality. It is a section of Stafford Township. As a result, addresses within the same shopping area may list either Manahawkin or Stafford, depending on postal conventions and street frontage. That is how TJ Maxx, just a short distance from the new ShopRite, carries an address of 601 Washington Street, Stafford, even though it sits only a parking lot away from the new store.

To shoppers, it is one destination. On paper, it is several different places.

quiring Family Promise to enter into a partnership in order to move the project forward. Because the township was unable to accept funding from an additional source, the project could not proceed and was ultimately abandoned.”

Interim Township Administrator Kelly Lettera said the Township Committee had authorized a contract for Family Promise to purchase the property, but the agreement was never finalized.

“After we sent the contract to Family Promise for signature, they were looking to change the contract to include a third party,” Lettera said. “The committee would not agree to the change that was being requested, and the contract was voided.”

Local businesses thrive when they connect to the power of community. This winter the Southern Ocean Chamber invites you to join a dynamic lineup of events designed to spark collaboration, and strengthen our regional business network.

February Events

• Feb 19 - Heart Month CPR Revive & Thrive at Manafirkin Brewery

• Feb 24 - Women in Business at Habitat for Humanity West Creek | 10-11:30am

• Feb 26 - IHeart Media x Phillies Pitch After Hours at LBI National | 6pm

March Events

• Mar 12 - Southern Ocean Career Fair at Mainland | 1-4:30pm

• Mar 16 - Pre-St. Patrick’s Lucky Business Social at Pinelands Brewery | 6:30pm

• Mar 24 -Women in Business with New Frontiers Storefront 10am

Registration is required - online or contact our office

Graduates:

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EMS providers in much of the county. Among those in attendance were Commissioners Samuel Ellenbogen and Robert S. Arace, who serves as liaison to the Fire and EMS Training Center, along with County Administrator Michael Fiure and Assistant County Administrator Tristin J. Collins. The ceremony opened with a flag salute performed by the Ocean County Vocational Technical School Academy of Law and Public Safety color guard.

“This is the culmination of about 18 months

Arace told graduates their decision to pursue EMS certification came at a critical moment.

“You chose long nights of training, difficult exams, physical exhaustion and emotional challenges,” Arace said. “This is not a role where the reward is fame or recognition. The reward is knowing that when someone else was having their worst day, you showed up.”

“When people call 911, they expect highly trained individuals like yourselves to show up,” he added. “We knew the urgency to get this program rolled out, and counties across the state have taken notice of how quickly this was accomplished.”

Candace Gardner, director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Medical Services, praised the county’s investment in EMS education and the decision to offer the program at no cost to students.

“In my wildest dreams, I could never imagine a first EMT program coming to this type of turnout,” Gardner said. “The fact that you’re able to do this for free in this county is incredible.”

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of planning and implementation,” said Brian K. Gabriel, director of the Ocean County Fire and EMS Training Center. “In the past, Ocean County relied on hospital-based or outside EMS entities to run programs out of our facility. We felt very strongly that we would be more successful in cultivating new EMTs in Ocean County for our first aid squads if we conducted our own program.”

Gabriel said the need for a locally run academy became increasingly clear as volunteer EMS numbers declined and call volumes continued to rise.

The curriculum included classroom instruction, hands-on skills labs and clinical rotations in hospital and field settings. Graduates are now eligible to sit for the National Registry of EMTs certification exam.

Chief EMS Coordinator Rob Contreras said every graduate is connected to an Ocean County EMS agency, reflecting the program’s focus on strengthening local response.

“They did 224 instructional hours, and there was no cost for the classes,” Contreras said.

“We’re trying to remove barriers and boost the pool of EMTs out there the best we can.

We’re seeing a real need for both volunteer and career EMTs, and this program is one way to start closing that gap.”

Recruitment and retention of EMTs have become a persistent challenge statewide.

Unlike police and fire services, EMS is not legally designated as an essential service in New Jersey, leaving many municipalities dependent on volunteers to staff ambulances. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of certified EMTs in New Jersey has declined sharply, placing increased strain on remaining responders and response times.

Gardner reminded graduates that technical skills are only part of the job. “You will meet people on the worst day of their lives,” she said. “Your calm, your compassion and your professionalism will often be the first sense of hope that your patient receives.”

Two students were recognized for exceptional performance during the ceremony.

Jenny Thompson of Manchester Township Emergency Medical Services received the John J. Glowacki Award, presented to the top academic student in the class. Instructor Peggy Doyle said Thompson stood out from the start.

“She was in early every night. She formed study groups. She asked questions constantly and finished with the highest average,” Doyle said. “She was a friend to everyone in the class, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.”

Amy Otte of Stafford Township Emergency Medical Services received the Leadership Award. Instructor Steve Cosmanic said Otte consistently looked out for her classmates.

“She wasn’t always the loudest person in the room,” he said. “But she was always the one checking on others, organizing study groups and pushing people forward.”

The award came as no surprise to Stafford leaders who came to support Otte’s latest call to service. Otte is a Stafford councilwoman and a longtime member of Stafford Township Volunteer Fire Department’s Women’s Auxiliary. Stafford Mayor Robert Henken, Council President Owen LaRocca and Business Administrator Matthew von der Hayden were part of the crowd present to congratulate the graduates.

Otte wasn’t alone in the graduating class

(Graduates - See Page 5)

Drummer:

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Harry Connick Jr.

Brian Wainwright, 57, and his wife Tracie are very excited about this musical opportunity and spoke to The Brick Times about their adventure.

“I’ve been interested in music since I was eight years old and all through middle school and high school. I was in the marching band in high school. I lived in Toms River at the time and moved to Brick in 2000. I am part of a country band, Runaway Train. We are about two years old. Before that there was a couple of members with me in a different band and we started this band up,” Brian Wainwright said.

He added, “we play all over from Bar A, Headliner, all over Monmouth and Ocean counties. We play all over the place. We have 40-plus gigs lined up already for this year.”

As to Rockin’ 1000, “my wife saw advertisements for it on Facebook. We saw videos of massive amounts of people on a football

Graduates:

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carrying personal connections to service.

Among the others was Kaleb Hoffman of Barnegat, who continues a family legacy.

Kaleb’s father, Alex Hoffman died six years ago and was a Barnegat police officer and volunteer firefighter and EMT.

The graduates of Ocean County EMT Class

field and it looked pretty cool. She saw they were coming to America in New Orleans so I looked into it and I saw you had to send in an audition tape. I had to make a video of me playing whatever song and sent it in and they reviewed it and a couple days later I got an e-mail back from them saying that I was accepted.”

He had to wait for registration day to show up and “had to have my computer open, phone open and tablet because everybody and their mother from other countries were going to sign up for this one so you had to be ready. They had 200 other drummers and they went all over the world. I will be playing drums. They have singers, bass players, keyboards. There are only so many spots on the field.”

Drummers that have inspired him include Dave Grohl from Nirvana. “He was also in a punk band before that. A lot of my favorite drummers come from punk bands in the 80s, Black Flag, Dead Kennedys, Circle Jerks, stuff like that,” he added. “When I first started drumming I had to play to a record downstairs in my mother’s house because

001 were:

• Dominick Belli, Stafford Township EMS

• Leilany Cardozo-Castillo, South Toms River EMS

• Sarah Curtis, Great Bay Regional EMS

• Kaleb Hoffman, Barnegat First Aid

• Joshua Lacey, Stafford Township EMS

• Bryanna MacDonald, South Toms River

EMS

• Ethan Monahan, Point Pleasant First Aid

we didn’t have ways of making your own drumming track, so you made your own and played along with records of The Who, Pat Penatar.”

He was also accepted as a member of the Ocean County String Band. “They played Mummers music and I got into a swing band that was playing old 40s and 50s music. We were playing around the Holiday City’s and all their little parties. Those people can party.”

Tracie Wainwright met her husband while in high school. They have two sons. “Brian just retired in October from a school district and started a seasonal job installing irrigation systems in people’s yards. He loves what he does. He loves playing the drums and this is an outlet for him to do that.”

“They are expecting 30,000 people at Rockin’ 1000 in the stadium. We have some friends going with us and we all sitting together in row seven. I have zero musical talent. I have a husband who plays the drums, a son who does musical theater. My youngest son plays the guitar and my oldest son sings. I tune the radio. That’s about it,” she joked.

& Emergency Services

• Amy Otte, Stafford Township Emergency Medical Services

• Alexander Roman, South Toms River EMS

• Bradley Smuro, Lanoka Harbor EMS

• Dylan Souchek, Herbertsville Volunteer Fire Company

• Salvatore Tatto, Barnegat Light First Aid Squad

• Jenny Thompson, Manchester Township

“We are going to zig zag around a bit but we are going to Nashville on the way home, hit a couple places in South Carolina and Savannah Georgia and hit the Keys, Miami and Orlando. We are trying to hit all the places we don’t normally get to go to,” she added. The three-and-a-half-week adventure will conclude before February 21 when the Runaway Train will be performing. They have to get back by February 18 so they can get a rehearsal in before that.

Other 2026 dates for Rockin’ 1000 include Manchester, England and Turin, Italy.

On July 7, 2019, Rockin’1000 played 18 songs in the Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt, Germany. Around 1,002 musicians performed in front of an audience of 15,000 spectators. The project achieved the world record for the largest performing rock band with hundreds of guitarists, bass players, drummers, keyboardists, and singers - as well as wind sections and string sections. They played rock classics by Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, AC/ DC, Jimi Hendrix, the Rolling Stones, Oasis, Depeche Mode and others.

Emergency Medical Services

• Amy Victoria, Great Bay Regional EMS

• Christopher Wilson, Manchester Township EMS

The next Basic EMT class at the Ocean County Training Center is scheduled to begin March 2 with 26 students already enrolled. County officials also announced plans to launch a vocational EMT program for high school seniors in fall 2026.

OPINIONS & COMMENTARY

EDITORIAL

Do You Want Readers To Know About Your Event?

One of my favorite phone calls to receive is when a reader asks “how do I get my event/ church/club into the paper?” As a community newspaper, we want to make sure our readers know of opportunities around them for services, fun, and camaraderie.

I get a call like that once or twice a month. So let me break it down. It’s super easy.

Just email the information to News@JerseyShoreOnline.com.

In the subject line, you can write something like “upcoming event” or whatever is appropriate. If you don’t have access to email, you can make it out to the name of this newspaper, with the address of: P.O. Box 521, Lakehurst, NJ 08733. Let us know about your event or club meeting. Give us the who, what, where, when and why. If it’s a recurring event, let us know. Don’t forget to tell us what paper it should go in. We have seven: Berkeley, Brick, Howell, Jackson, Manchester, Southern Ocean and Toms River. Don’t get greedy, though! You might be tempted to want your event to be

in every paper. Think about it from a reader’s point of view. If you live in Brick, you’d be disappointed to open The Brick Times and see a bunch of events on Long Beach Island. The best option is to stick to the town you’re in. We prefer information to be typed out, rather than in the form of a flyer. We don’t reprint flyers.

You can write it out like a news item if you’d like. If you’re concerned about your writing skills, not to worry. You can just give us the info and we’ll put it together into news format.

We like to receive information like this a good two weeks in advance to make sure we have time to prepare it and get it in the paper. With all this said, we don’t give free advertising to businesses. If you are a business, and trying to get someone to attend an event, there’s paid advertising for that. If you’re interested in advertising, call 732-657-7344 ext. 206 or email sales@jerseyshoreonline.com.

Chris Lundy News Editor

The Southern Ocean Times welcomes all points of view for publication and provides this page as an open forum for residents to express themselves regarding politics, government, current events and local concerns. All letters are printed as space allows unless deemed offensive by the editorial staff, and provided they are signed and include address & phone number for verification. Letters may not be printed if we cannot verify them. Names will not be withheld from publication. While most letters are printed as submitted, we reserve the right to edit or reject letters. The weekly deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday. Mail typed letters to: PO Box 521, Lakehurst, NJ 08733, fax 732-657-7388 or e-mail news@jerseyshoreonline.com. Letters may be limited to one per month per writer at the editor’s discretion. The opinions expressed in the Letters To The Editor section do not necessarily reflect those of the staff, management or sponsors of Micromedia Publications/Jersey Shore Online. Letters to the Editor are the OPINION of the writer and the content is not checked for accuracy.

I realize that this weekend winter storm turned out to be worse than we could have imagined. But the worst thing that did happen was the tragedy that fell upon us seniors!

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Crestwood Left Out In The Cold and have never witnessed parishioners leaving “like high schoolers leaving school.” Also, my apologies to our high schoolers who have shown a responsibility driving leaving school that the individual has not shown with facts! The individual bought a home knowing that the roads were narrow in that community to begin with! The individual is complaining about an issue of his own choosing and has a choice that he can remove himself from.

Some Crestwood villages were kept up with plowing, shoveling and salt in the roads. One village had The General landscapers in their contract to do the cleanup which I heard was great. All of us others were left with plowing jobs that were horrible. Fire hydrant covered with snow, mail boxes ambushed, price gouging snow shoveling and some just didn’t bother to show up.

There are hundreds of seniors that needed help and it just seemed like such a letdown that we pay for services and don’t get anything back in return. NOBODY CARES! Scenario: if there was a house fire God forbid how in God’s name could we get out of our homes? Much less the street which as of today is a sheet of ice here with no salt! This is a very VERY scary situation that leaves us seniors feeling left out and alone! Something needs to be done!

Gina Conklin Whiting

Resident At Meeting Wrong On Traffic Safety

This letter is in response to a January 17 article.

The Article, “Narrow Roads, Speeders a Dangerous Combo” repeated erroneous remarks at a current council meeting. A solid line on the driver’s side of a road indicates that crossing it to pass another car is a traffic violation. Obviously, the individual did not get this right on his written driver’s test nor did the few people who clapped after he finished.

I have attended mass at Church of the Visitation

by religious leaders in particular, and/or by a single member of his political party... it became inevitable that good morals would face a similar onslaught as did good manners!

Joseph Lamb, Sr. Brick

Mind Your Manners, Mind Your Morals

As a young person, so many decades ago, it had been drilled into my psyche by elders to “Mind your manners. You’ll get nowhere in life if you talk and act like a boor.”

Little did I know that eventually that adage would fall by the wayside nationwide! Instead of good manners enhancing society, the boors actually won the game!

There was something magical and magnetizing about Donald Trump when he descended on his golden escalator to save the nation! He had nothing good to say about anything or anybody... anybody but himself that is! He displayed a juvenile disrespect and disregard for all norms of decent conduct, launching a tsunami of lies, insults and slander upon American citizens. In some sense, it was refreshing to watch this neophyte of nastiness on stage, entertaining us with the worst kind of humor, humor derogatory of people he didn’t like. And there were many such people!

Once this diabolical conduct was normalized, due in large part to lack of pushback against his lies by the media in general,

Now, immorality is generally normalized to the point where millions of Americans believe that killing helpless Venezuelans in small boats is perfectly okay. Although hundreds of miles from the American coastline, our national fear of these dangerous invaders is so overwhelming that we must cringe in fear until our dear Leader kills them at sea!

This may be the worst of his crimes against humanity to date; but it is likely these murders at sea will prove to be mere “practice killings” to be normalized and soon imported onto our motherland!

Nicholas S Molinari

Brick

Businesses Don’t Belong In Pine Lake Park

So last night was the first zoning meeting I’ve ever been to in my life. Can’t say that it was on my bucket list, However, the topic that was being presented was of utmost importance to me. So with every intention of hearing both sides of the story, I went.

The woman who is representative of the parties filing the variances to institute a commercial entity into a residential area, barged into the topic like a bull charges out of a gate pen at a rodeo with the antagonistic and accusatory tone, blatantly saying that if the applicant didn’t get their way the result was all based on their perception that this was a matter of bias as opposed to the mere fact that people who have lived there and raise their families in PLP and had hoped to retire there mainly wanted to maintain the sanctity of a residen -

tial neighborhood withstanding not any specific type of commercialism, but all commercialism. The fact unfortunately, is that as their representative blatantly almost threateningly, told us all that their interpretation of the neighborhoods’ resistance, was solely based off of religious bias. She was like a toddler having a temper tantrum, “I want it my way and if I don’t, I’m going to scream child abuse to get my way!”

I have to say as a longtime resident of Pine Lake Park. I felt as if though the representative was the one stereotyping and was expressing prejudice at every person that was against their progressive claim of adding commercialism to a residential neighborhood that was the reason I was there.

I am a very liberal individual and understand that progress is constantly occurring around us. But I too, have a voice and feel that it needs to be heard like everybody else WITHOUT judgment.

I like to say that “the intentions of the writer are not always the interpretation of the reader” not unlike like the topic at hand at last night’s zone meeting, and this letter. In most public settings, there is legally a separation of church in state. Since last night’s meeting was a state (local government meeting), it should have not been led by the variance applicant as being about religion or religious bias. Shame on you!! Let’s keep business - business. Once one variance is granted then more will follow under PAST PRACTICE. Good bye peaceful neighborhoodHello chaos.

My right to live civilly is encumbered by progressive, “card” tossing bullies!

Cecilia Ward Manchester

S potlight o n g overnment

Correspondence & Commentary From Your Local, County, State & Federal Officials

Law Will Resume Superstorm Sandy Recovery Assistance

Comments

Senator Carmen F. Amato, Jr. 9th Legislative District Capitol

TRENTON - Legislation sponsored by Senator Carmen F. Amato, Jr; Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf, and Assemblyman Gregory E. Myhre to restart the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation, and Mitigation (RREM) program for homeowners still struggling to recover from Superstorm Sandy has been signed into law. The measure, S4812/A-6270, sponsored by the 9th District delegation

From

The

delivers long promised recovery assistance.

The bill requires the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), where sufficient uncommitted funds remain, to accept grant applications and provide financial assistance to eligible Sandy-impacted homeowners, many of whom have waited years for long-delayed recovery assistance.

“More than a decade after Superstorm Sandy, too many families in our district are still dealing with unfinished repairs, financial strain, and uncertainty,” said Senator Amato. “This law ensures remaining RREM funds are finally used for their intended purpose, helping

homeowners complete their recovery and rebuild their lives.”

As the former Mayor of Berkeley Township when Sandy struck, Senator Amato witnessed firsthand the devastation caused by the storm and the long-term challenges families faced well beyond the initial recovery period.

“For many residents, the storm never truly ended,” said Assemblyman Brian Rumpf. “This law gives homeowners a fair chance to access assistance that was delayed for far too long and ensures that available funds are directed where they are still urgently needed.”

Assemblyman Gregory Myhre said the legislation reflects a continued commitment to finishing the job for Sandy-impacted communities.

“Families across the 9th District have shown incredible resilience, but resilience alone doesn’t rebuild homes,” Myhre said. “This law helps close the chapter on Sandy recovery by making sure remaining resources are put to work for the people who were promised help.”

Under S-4812, homeowners who qualify as “Sandy-impacted,” including those who received FEMA rental assistance or were previously approved for RREM or Low- to Moderate-Income programs, may apply for grants to address outstanding recovery needs.

The law represents a significant step toward completing New Jersey’s Sandy recovery efforts and ensuring impacted homeowners are not left behind.

New Governor Pauses Proposed Regulations

Desk Of The Governor

Mikie Sherrill

TRENTON – Governor Mikie Sherrill signed Executive Order No. 7, instituting

a 90-day pause on the proposal and adoption of new rules and regulations.

“I am committed to putting New Jersey residents first and ensuring our state government truly works for the people it serves. This means breaking down red tape, eliminating bureaucracy, and saving New Jerseyans’

time and money. Following today’s executive order, we will review proposed regulations in the pipeline and deliver lasting, positive change for communities across the state,” said Governor Sherrill.

Under the Executive Order, no agency shall propose or adopt any rule for a period of 90 days, subject to exceptions. Any rules that have been filed with the Office of Administrative Law but not published in the New

Jersey Register shall be withdrawn. State agencies that have pending proposed rules will notify the Governor by February 2, 2026, of any proposals whose non-adoption will adversely impact public health or security or obstruct essential operations, among other considerations. The Governor can then consider whether to lift the pause on those proposals before the end of the 90-day pause.

Disclaimer: Micromedia Publications has always provided a space in its newspapers to provide a place for readers to learn what their elected officials are doing. These items are lightly edited for such things as punctuation and grammar but are mostly unchanged from the source. These press releases are the politicians’ own views, not that of Micromedia Publications. We cannot vouch for the accuracy of information that these politicians are providing, and readers are encouraged to keep an open mind and consider multiple sources.

New

Jersey Enacts Stricter E-Bike Rules After Fatal Crashes

JERSEY SHORE — New Jersey has implemented sweeping new regulations governing electric bicycles, establishing some of the toughest e-bike safety standards in the nation in response to a series of serious and fatal crashes.

Under the new law, most e-bike operators must now carry a valid driver’s license or motorized bicycle license, register their e-bike with the state and maintain insurance coverage. Riders will have a six-month grace period to comply before enforcement and fines begin. License and registration fees are being waived during the first year.

State officials have also overhauled how e-bikes are classified. While the former three-tier system has been eliminated, the law still distinguishes between lowspeed electric bikes, throttle-controlled motorized bikes and higher-powered electric motorized bicycles capable of exceeding 28 mph. All categories are now subject to the same requirements for licensing, registration and insurance.

Age restrictions have also been tightened. Riders under 15 are no longer permitted to operate e-bikes. Those ages 15 and 16 must obtain a motorized bicycle license, while riders 17 and older must hold a standard driver’s license.

Sixteen-year-olds may rent low-speed e-bikes only through approved municipal programs.

The legislation includes new limits on sales and equipment. Online e-bike sales are prohibited statewide for one year, and conversion kits that modify low-speed e-bikes into higher-powered models are now illegal.

Several shore area police departments said officers will focus on public education during the initial six-month period to help residents understand the changes before enforcement begins.

Residents with questions are encouraged to contact local police or visit the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission website for detailed guidance on compliance.

Ocean County Man Admits Guilt In Infant Daughter’s Death

By Jason Allentoff

OCEAN COUNTY — A Lakewood man

has pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in the death of his 3-month-old daughter, authorities said.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Ruben Santiago, 36, entered the plea before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan in connection with the May 5, 2025 death of the infant at a township residence.

Prosecutors said Santiago is scheduled to be sentenced March 4, when the state will seek a 25-year prison term under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act, which requires most of the sentence to be served before parole eligibility.

Police were called to a Pinehurst Drive home around 7:20 p.m. May 5, 2025, for a report of an infant in respiratory distress. Officers found the child unresponsive. Emergency medical personnel provided

aid before transporting the baby to Ocean University Medical Center in Brick. The infant was later transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where she was pronounced dead the following day.

An autopsy conducted by the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, resulting in skull fractures and a subdural hematoma. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Investigators determined that Santiago and the child’s mother, identified as Gibson, were responsible for the infant’s injuries. Both were arrested May 7, 2025, and have remained jailed since. Charges against Gibson will be dropped at Santiago’s March sentencing.

Billhimer credited prosecutors and multiple law enforcement units for their work on the case.

Ribbon Cutting Set For New ShopRite In Manahawkin

By Jason Allentoff

MANAHAWKIN – A new, expanded ShopRite supermarket is set to open in Manahawkin next week, replacing the chain’s former location and bringing a significantly larger store to the Route 72 corridor.

The new ShopRite of Manahawkin, located at 733 Route 72 West, will officially open to the public February 4 following a 7 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony. Members of the Saker family, who own and operate the store, are expected to join local officials and employees to mark the opening.

Shoppers arriving early will be greeted by store associates, with the first 200 customers in line receiving complimentary grocery gift bags containing samples and coupons. The grand opening celebration will also include in-store food sampling and food trucks outside the store.

The new supermarket is more than twice the size of the previous ShopRite location in Stafford Square and represents a major expansion within the Manahawkin Commons shopping center.

Company officials said the store was designed to modernize the shopping experience while expanding product selection

and services. The supermarket features a broad range of groceries, including locally sourced items, fresh produce, national brands and the company’s private-label lines.

In addition to traditional grocery offerings, the store includes an expanded international foods section and a wide variety of prepared meals. Other departments include a full-service bakery with custom cakes and fresh bread, an enhanced meat department staffed by trained butchers, a seafood counter with fresh deliveries, a floral department, a full-service deli and a prepared foods section.

A pharmacy and the retailer’s online ordering and pickup or delivery service will also operate at the new location.

Saker ShopRites, a family-owned company operated by third- and fourth-generation grocers, has stores throughout central and coastal New Jersey. Company officials said the Manahawkin opening created new fulland part-time jobs ahead of the store’s debut. The new supermarket replaces the former ShopRite at Stafford Square, consolidating operations into the larger, newly built facility.

C ommunity n ew S

Judges Visit Lacey Middle School For Civics Lessons

FORKED RIVER – Several judges from the Ocean Vicinage brought the courtroom into the classroom, visiting social studies classes at Lacey Middle School to discuss the judicial system and their roles within it.

Superior Court Judge John Ducey was among those who addressed students, speaking to more than 200 seventh- and eighth-graders over the course of the visit. The judges explained how courts operate, outlined their day-to-day responsibilities and shared insights into careers in law and

public service.

Students actively participated, posing questions about how cases move through the court system, what judges consider when making decisions and what led the visitors to pursue careers on the bench. School officials said the visit was designed to complement civics instruction by giving students direct access to members of the judiciary and a real-world perspective on how government functions beyond the textbook.

Senior Class Seeks Community Support For Project Graduation Auction

BARNEGAT – The senior class at Barnegat High School is urging residents and local businesses to lend their support to an upcoming gift auction that funds Project Graduation, the long-standing program designed to give graduates a safe, alcohol- and drug-free celebration after commencement.

The annual Senior Class Gift Auction is scheduled for February 7, in the Barnegat High School media center. The event is the primary fundraiser for Project Graduation, which provides a fully supervised, no-cost celebration for the Class of 2026.

Organizers said the success of Project Graduation depends heavily on community involvement. The auction will include more than 200 prize baskets and high-value items donated by local businesses and residents, with all proceeds earmarked for the post-graduation event.

Senior Class Advisor Astin Williams said Project Graduation is about more than entertainment, emphasizing its role in keeping students safe during a milestone night.

Doors will open at 1 p.m., with ticket calling beginning at 2 p.m. Admission is $5 and includes one Level 1 ticket sheet, a hot beverage and a baked good. The auction is open to adults 18 and older, and winners must be present to collect prizes.

A discounted pre-sale package is available for $65, a value of $80, for those who purchase by Friday, January 30. The package includes admission and a bundled set of tickets for all prize levels. Pre-sale purchases must be made by check or money order payable to “Barnegat High School Class of 2026.” Tickets sold on the day of the event will be cash only.

The senior class is also accepting last-minute donations, including gift cards, raffle items, themed baskets or monetary contributions. Businesses or individuals interested in donating or seeking additional information can contact parent volunteer Liz Bacskai at lizbacskai@gmail.com or Williams at awilliams@barnegatschools. com.

Child Organ Donor Honored With Rose Parade Tribute

beside OneLegacy’s Donate Life Rose Parade float while holding a tribute floragraph honoring his daughter, Lilyanne “Lily” James, whose organ donation saved multiple lives. Standing with Craig are his wife, Amanda, and his sons Robert and Nicholas.

WARETOWN — The memory of a Waretown toddler whose final act saved three lives was carried before millions of viewers on New Year’s Day, as 3-year-old Lilyanne “Lily” James was honored with a floragraph portrait during the Rose Parade.

Lily’s likeness appeared on OneLegacy’s Donate Life float, a nationally recognized platform promoting organ and tissue donation, during the annual parade in Pasadena. The tribute highlighted Lily’s enduring impact after her organs were donated following a fatal motor vehicle crash in 2022 that claimed both her life and that of her mother.

In the days after the accident, Lily’s father, Craig James, authorized the donation of her organs. Her heart and liver were transplanted into two young boys, while her kidneys helped save the life of an adult recipient. Family members say the decision reflected the compassion Lily’s parents valued deeply.

The James family traveled from Waretown to California to attend the parade. Lily’s floragraph was sponsored by the Sharing Network Foundation through an employee giving initiative.

Craig James said witnessing his daughter’s image displayed on an international stage was profoundly emotional, noting that he chose donation by imagining the families waiting for lifesaving organs. He said the experience reaffirmed that Lily’s story continues to inspire generosity and hope. Since Lily’s death, community members across Ocean County and beyond have rallied around the James family. Many residents, parish groups and local organizations have honored Lily’s legacy by registering as organ and tissue donors, ensuring her influence continues to save lives.

Lunar New Year Lion Dance Set For Library

WARETOWN – Residents are invited to welcome the Lunar New Year with a traditional lion dance performance at the Ocean County Library’s Waretown Branch.

The South Jersey Lion Dance Troupe will present an interactive program beginning at 11:30 a.m. February 14. The event will explore the origins and cultural significance of the lion dance, including why lions are viewed as symbols of good fortune during the Lunar New Year.

In addition to a short performance, the troupe will invite audience members to

participate, encouraging attendees to make some noise and learn basic lion dance movements. The program is open to all ages. The event is funded through an Ocean County Library Foundation grant and the Friends of the Ocean County Library –Waretown Branch.

Admission is free, but registration is required. Sign-ups open January 31 and can be completed online at tinyurl.com/ WaretownLunar, by calling 609-693-5133, or by visiting the Waretown Branch at 112 Main Street.

C ommunity n ew S

Grey Seal Pup Relocated After Drawing Crowds At LBI Beach

By Jason Allentoff

HOLGATE - A young gray seal pup was safely relocated after drawing attention from beachgoers during a winter haul-out at the southern end of Holgate, officials said.

The female pup, estimated to be between one and two months old, was first spotted on January 16 on the sand — a normal behavior for seals that regularly come ashore to digest food and regain energy after hunting. Responders said the seal appeared alert, healthy and in good body condition.

A certified volunteer with the Marine Mammal Stranding Center monitored the animal from a distance through the night to ensure she was not disturbed. When the volunteer returned at dawn, the seal was still resting, but increased foot traffic on the beach had begun drawing crowds.

Stranding technicians responded and conducted a brief medical evaluation, determining the pup did not require treatment. To reduce stress and prevent human or pet interaction, the seal was transported to a quieter, more secluded stretch of coastline, where she was released to continue resting undisturbed.

Experts note that gray seal pups have a short

nursing period of roughly two weeks before being weaned by their mothers and left to survive independently. During winter months, seals are commonly seen hauling out along New Jersey beaches.

Officials urge the public to stay at least 150 feet — about the length of three school buses — away from seals, especially if the animal appears alert to nearby people. Posting seal locations on social media is strongly discouraged, as it can attract crowds and increase stress on the animals.

Anyone who encounters a seal on the beach is asked to contact the Marine Mammal Stranding Center’s 24-hour hotline at 609-266-0538 so trained responders can assess the animal’s health and safety.

LEH Police Earn National Night Out Honor

LITTLE EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP –

The police department has been named a national winner in the Rookie Division of the 2025 National Night Out awards, earning recognition for its first-time participation in the nationwide community policing program.

The department qualified by registering its National Night Out event with the National Association of Town Watch and submitting extensive post-event documentation. The Community Services Unit assembled a detailed 50-page report outlining planning efforts, activities and community engagement,

meeting the specific criteria required for the Rookie Division.

Little Egg Harbor was selected from among numerous municipalities across the country that participated in National Night Out, an annual event designed to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Police officials credited the achievement to collaboration with the Little Egg Harbor Recreation Department, backing from the Township Council and strong turnout from residents.

Crock Pot Lunch Series Returns To Elks Lodge

FORKED RIVER – The Lacey Elks Lodge 2518 will continue its weekly community meal series, offering a home-cooked lunch prepared in crock pots and served at midday. The program, known as “Crock Pot Mondays with Bob,” features a rotating menu that changes each week. Meals are served on a first-come, first-served basis, with no fixed price. Donations are accepted to help support the effort.

Organizers say the goal of the program is to provide a welcoming, informal meal

for members and the community while highlighting simple, comfort-style cooking. Because menus vary weekly, attendees are encouraged to arrive early.

Those interested in contributing food, supplies or financial support for the program can contact Courtney Paige by text at 732947-2190 for additional information.

The lunches are held at the Lacey Elks Lodge 2518, which regularly hosts charitable and community-focused events throughout the year.

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H ere ’ s t o Y our H e A lt H

Dr. Izzy’s

Sound News

Presented By: Isidore Kirsh, Ph.D., F.A.A.A. (N.J. Lic. #678)

Dr. Isidore

5 Signs It’s Time For A Hearing Test

Hearing loss often happens gradually, so many people don’t notice the small changes until they begin to affect daily life. The truth is, the sooner you identify hearing challenges, the easier it is to treat them — and the better your overall quality of life can be. If you’ve been wondering whether it’s time to schedule a hearing test, here are five common signs you shouldn’t ignore.

1. You Struggle to Follow Conversations in Noisy Places — Restaurants, family gatherings, or busy stores can feel overwhelming if you’re straining to hear. Many people dismiss this as ‘background noise,’ but it can actually be an early sign of hearing loss.

2. The TV or Radio Volume Keeps Creeping Up — If your family is constantly asking you to turn down the volume, your ears may be compensating for missed sounds. What feels comfortable to you may be too loud for others.

3. You Frequently Ask People to Repeat Themselves — A casual ‘What?’ every now and then is normal, but if you’re asking family, friends or coworkers to repeat themselves regularly, your hearing may need attention.

4. You Avoid Social Situations Because It’s Too Hard to Hear — Hearing loss

doesn’t just affect your ears — it affects your confidence and relationships. If you’re skipping events because conversations feel exhausting, it’s time to check your hearing.

5. Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus) — A constant ringing, buzzing, or humming in the ears may indicate tinnitus, often linked to hearing loss. While not always serious, it’s worth discussing with a hearing professional.

Why Early Testing Matters — Untreated hearing loss is associated with increased risk of social isolation, depression, and even cognitive decline. The good news? Today’s hearing technology is smaller, smarter, and more effective than ever before.

Take the First Step — If any of these signs sound familiar, schedule a professional hearing test. At Garden State Hearing & Balance Center, we’ve helped thousands of hearing-impaired individuals reconnect with the sounds that matter most.

Dr. Izzy and his Staff will continue to educate you about hearing care choices. Please feel free to contact our office at 732-451-3962 or visit our website at gardenstatehearing.com.

His offices are in Toms River, Whiting, and Manahawkin. He can be reached at 732-451-3962 or via Web site at gardenstatehearing.com. Dr. Izzy & Staff gives Retirement Community Talks!

Program Encourages Residents To Prepare For Emergencies

TRENTON – New Jersey officials are encouraging residents with disabilities or access and functional needs to enroll in Register Ready, a voluntary statewide program designed to help emergency responders better assist individuals during disasters.

Register Ready is a free, secure database that allows residents to share information that could be critical during emergencies such as evacuations, sheltering or power outages. The program is intended to help emergency managers and first responders plan and respond more effectively to the needs of people who may require additional assistance.

The registry is open to permanent and seasonal New Jersey residents with physical, developmental, cognitive or behavioral impairments. Individuals with temporary conditions — including serious medical

issues or high-risk pregnancies — are also encouraged to sign up.

Family members or caregivers may register on behalf of someone who needs help. State officials say enrolling ahead of time can improve response times and ensure that emergency personnel are aware of mobility issues, medical equipment needs or other challenges before a crisis occurs.

Residents can register online at registerready.nj.gov. Assistance is also available by calling 2-1-1 within New Jersey or 877-652-1148. Translation services and TTY/TDD support are offered. Additional help is available through county offices of emergency management and local centers for independent living.

Participation in the program is voluntary, and information provided is kept confidential.

Dear Pharmacist

Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

What If You Don’t Just Have “Dry Eyes”? It Could Be Blepharitis

By Suzy Cohen, R. Ph.

If your eyes feel gritty, itchy, watery, or irritated, yet every eye exam is “normal,” there’s a good chance the real issue isn’t your eyeballs at all! It may be your eyelids. Also, if you’ve been told you have “dry eye” syndrome, you’ll want to read this.

Many people struggle with eye problems for years without ever hearing the word: Blepharitis.

It means inflammation of the eyelids, especially along the lash line. It’s not an infection, and it’s not contagious. But it can be annoying. Burning, grittiness, fluctuating blurry vision, tearing, crusting on the lashes, light sensitivity, and recurrent styes are all classic signs. One confusing clue is that eyes can feel dry while watering constantly. That’s because irritated eyes overproduce tears that don’t stick around long enough to do their job.

What’s often happening underneath is meibomian gland dysfunction. These tiny oil glands line the eyelids and release oil that keeps tears from evaporating too quickly. When the oil thickens or the glands get inflamed, the tear film becomes unstable. Drops help briefly, then wear off. Symptoms tend to worsen as the day goes on, especially if you spend a lot of time on devices or reading screens.

Blepharitis isn’t random. Screen time, dry air, allergies, rosacea, hormonal shifts, contact lens wear, and aging all raise risk. And your medications may play a role. Antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, and others can dry your eyes and alter oil production. That

doesn’t mean you caused the problem. It means your eyes may be collateral damage.

The good news is that you don’t have to sit on your hands while waiting for an eye appointment. Gentle, consistent care can calm things down. Try this:

• Daily warm compresses using moist warm heat for about 10 minutes. This helps melt thickened oils so they can flow again.

• Gentle lid hygiene once a day. No harsh scrubbing, no baby shampoo, no scented products. Calm and consistent wins here.

OcuSOFT Lid Scrub original is a good one.

• Strategic use of preservative-free artificial tears, especially before long screen sessions or late in the day, rather than constantly chasing symptoms.

• Black currant oil supplies a fatty acid that helps calm inflammatory signaling and support healthier oil flow from the meibomian glands over time. People often ask me how blepharitis differs from ocular rosacea. You can have ocular rosacea without having rosacea on your skin. But the difference is that blepharitis tends to feel gritty and itchy, while ocular rosacea leans more toward burning and light sensitivity.

If your goal is calm, stable eyes, that’s good. Not perfection. Calm and stable. Dry, itchy, watery eyes aren’t always “just dry eye.” Sometimes the real problem is hiding along your lash line. I walk you through how to spot blepharitis and what to do about it while you wait for your appointment. For deeper dives and practical tips you won’t see elsewhere, sign up for my free newsletter at suzycohen.com.

(This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Suzy Cohen is the author of “The 24-Hour Pharmacist” and “Real Solutions.” For more information, visit www.SuzyCohen.com) ©2026 SUZY COHEN, RPH. DISTRIBUTED BY DEAR PHARMACIST, INC.

LOOK FOR A VARIETY OF PHOTOS SNAPPED ALL AROUND THE JERSEY SHORE!

Search: @ JSHOREONLINE

Free Workshop Aims To Help LBI Businesses Get Film-Ready

SURF CITY — Local business owners on Long Beach Island will have an opportunity to tap into New Jersey’s growing film and television industry during a free informational session Tuesday morning at the Surf City library.

The Lighthouse International Film Festival, in partnership with the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, will host the in-service program from 10 to 11 AM at the Long Beach Island Branch of the Ocean County Library.

The session will focus on how local businesses can be included in the New Jersey Motion Picture & Television Commission Production Services Directory, a database widely used by film and television productions when sourcing vendors, services, and filming locations.

Organizers said businesses across a wide range of industries are encouraged to attend, including hotels, restaurants, caterers, real estate professionals, transportation providers, florists, cleaning services, hair and makeup artists, event planners, bed and breakfasts, and owners of unique properties that could serve as filming locations.

Chamber representatives said the effort is part of a broader initiative to establish Southern Ocean County as a “film-ready” region, positioning local businesses to benefit from production activity and related economic opportunities.

Registration is free. Businesses may sign up by contacting Christine at liffinfo@ gmail.com.

The library is located at 217 South Central Avenue in Surf City.

Lawrence G. Bolen,

Michael J.

Jr., Manager • NJ Lic #4075

St. Francis Counseling Service Surviving To Thriving

LONG BEACH – Empower yourself by joining this free and confidential eight-week support group. By providing a safe space for survivors of sexual abuse and assault, the group will help to unlock the skills and

tools necessary to move forward and thrive. Group meetings are virtual from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Open to all residents of Ocean County. Call Carol Minichino, MS LAC NCC, to reserve your spot: 609-494-1554.

For Rent

Adult Community WhitingCrestwood Village 5. 55+. Larger 2 BD, 1 BA, powder room, porch, washer/dryer, garage. No pets. No smoking. $1,800 plus utilities. 848-326-0105. (9)

House For Rent - Silverton. Fully Furnished, 3 BDRM, 2 BTH, LRG KIT, DIN RM, FAM RM. LRG DECK, BOAT LIFT, JACUZZI, TIKI BAR & GRILL. Available for rent 2/1/26-6/30/26 $3200/MNTH, Utilities Incld, No Pets. Would consider full year rent at $4800/ MNTH. Call 201-527-0205 or email jmartinez4165@gmail.com. (7)

Items For Sale

Room Furniture For Sale - Bay window couch, like new. Antique marble coffee table. Two side coffee tables. Asking $1,000 for the set. Can be sold as individual pieces. 732-773-9415. (9)

Gorilla Giant Ladder - $150. 48" Round folding table - $25. Craftsman 9 Ballbearing Drawers - $350 and 6 drawers plus top - $300. Call Jerry 908-307-5492. (3)

Dining Table - 8 chairs (2 with arms), and hutch - $300. Oak. 732-551-5433. (t/n)

Items Wanted

$$$ WANTED TO BUY $$$ Jewelry and watches, costume jewelry, sterling silver, silverplate, medals, military items, antiques, musical instruments, pottery, fine art, photographs, paintings, statues, old coins, vintage toys and dolls, rugs, old pens and postcards, clocks, furniture, bric-a-brac, select china and crystal patterns. Cash paid. Over 35 years experience. Call Gary Struncius. 732849-6068 (new number). (t/n)

COSTUME/ESTATE JEWELRY

Looking to buy costume/estate jewelry, old rosaries and religious medals, all watches and any type of sterling silver, bowls, flatware candlesticks or jewelry. Same day house calls and cash on the spot. 5 percent more with this AD. Call Peggy at 732-581-5225. (t/n)

Vinyl Records Wanted - Paying cash for LP albums. Rock, Jazz, Blues, Reggae. Also buying comic books. Call Rick 908-616-7104. (10)

CASH, CASH, CASH! - Instant cash paid for junk cars, trucks, vans. Free removal of any metal items. Discount towing. Call Dano 732-239-3949. (t/n)

Entire Estates Bought - Bedroom/dining sets, dressers, cedar chests, wardrobes, secretaries, pre-1950 wooden furniture, older glassware, oriental rugs, paintings, bronzes, silver, bric-a-brac. Call Jason at 609-970-4806. (t/n)

Cash - Top dollar, paid for junk, cars running and nonrunning, late model salvage, cars and trucks, etc. 732-928-3713. (t/n)

Used Guns Wanted - All types: collectibles, military, etc. Call 917-681-6809. (t/n)

CLASSIFIEDS

Help Wanted

Project Estimator: Coffey Brothers Inc., Howell, NJ: Bid Mngment & Proposal Develop't, Bid Tracking, cost estimat'n, vendor mngment, project procure't & planning, pre-construct'n mgment, stakeholder eng't; team co-ordination. Pos'n req Master deg in Const'n Mangmnt, Civil Engg or rltd field of study. OSHA Certification req. Travel req sporadically to project sites in NJ State. No out of State travel. Salary: $99,382.00 w/ std corporate benefits. Email Resumes to: wcj@msn.com. (8)

Certified Home Health AidesNeeded for Ocean County area. Hourly and live-in positions avail. P/T and F/T. Call CCC at 732-206-1047. (t/n)

HVAC Installer/Technician Hiring Now - Experience needed. Great Work Environment. Company vehicle. Full time, year round, paid holidays. Call 732-349-1448 Or Fax Resume To 732-349-6448. (t/n)

Receptionist/Customer ServiceExperienced Receptionist (1-3 years) for front desk in Adult Community. M-F, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Skills should be Microsoft Office proficiency applications, basic office protocols and ability to “meet and greet” pleasantly and professionally. Resume with references required. Start immediately. Please call: 732-244-8686, Ext#200. (7)

Services

PAINTING By Neat And Meticulous European Craftsman - who will beat any written estimate. Senior discounts. Interior, exterior. Call 732-506-7787, cell 646-643-7678. (t/n)

Handyman Solutions - Affordable prices that are budget friendly. All phases of Home Improvement and Repairs. Carpentry • Laminate Flooring • Painting • Drywall • Doors • Windows • Siding • Hand and Vinyl Railings • Decks • Minor Plumbing/Electrical and more. Licensed Insured. 609-384-9030 (50)

INCOME TAXES - Toms River Firm. 30 Years experience. Personal and Small Business Returns. $100 Off with this AD. Call for appointment. 732-270-6505. (11)

YMT Vacations. Over 50 guided tours available. Affordable, social and stress-free travel designed for mature travelers. Our tours include accommodations, transportation, baggage handling, sightseeing, entrance fees, a professional Tour Director and select meals. For a limited time SAVE $250 on all tours. Call YMT today. 1-866-296-9071 (t/n)

Life Coach - Not sure how to handle something? Talk it out, get unstuck. $25 for 1 hour. Melissa Lekas, 732-754-4891. (5)

DO YOU WANT YOU CAR TO LOOK NICE AND SHINECALL LENNY < Lenny's Mobile Auto Detailing 908-868-4609. (46)

"Stick With the Man That Covers Your Can! - Residential and Commercia Pump-outs FREE 1 year supply of enzyme treatment with each septic pump-out. Septic Inspections. Septic System Installations and All Repairs. Grease Traps installation and pump outs. Tank Abandonment and Demolition. 24 Hours Emergency Service! 732-244-0189. (5) Laundromat Attendant - For FT/ PT

A PLUS CLEANING - Homes Offices AirBnB Thorough Reliable Honest Specializing in Senior Villages Call Barbara 732 948-4730. (3)

Services

PQ Painting & Home Improvement Services - Over 5 decades of service in NJ. Visit us online at pqpaintingservice.com. Winner of Angie’s List Super Service Award. Free estimates, reasonable rates, fully licensed and insured NJ Lic #13VH06752800. Call 732500-3063 or 609-356-2444. (t/n)

Housecleaning - Laundry, window, carpet, office cleaning, food shopping, painting. Call 732-3304189 or 848-287-3944. (1)

APlus Home Improvements - Over 30 years experience. Everything from small handyman tasks to large renovations. Fully insured and licensed. Seniors 10% off any job $500 or more. Lic #13VH11453600. No job too small give us a call. 908-278-1322. (7)

Handyman Service - Carpentry, masonry, repairs, painting. 732-6743346. License #13VH03469200. (41)

DIRECTV - All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Directv and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/ mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-877-557-1213 (t/n)

Nor’easter Painting and Staining, LLC - Interior and exterior. Decks, powerwashing. Affordable. Senior discounts. References. No job too small. Fully insured. 732-6910123. Lic #13VH09460600. (t/n)

Learn To Play The - Flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, or drums, from a NJ State Certified Teacher of Instrumental Music, in your home! Call 732-3504427 for more information. (7)

A1 HANDYMAN SERVICESOver 30 years experience in all phases of home improvements. Free estimates and referrals. Call John 267475-7962 or 732-477-0379. (43)

THE RIDE GUY - Takes you anywhere! No limits. Comfy mini-van. References. Call Charlie 732-216-3176 or Email: cr@exit109.com. Let's Go! (t/n)

Dana’s Cleaning Service - We do homes offices and rentals. Call Dana for free in home estimate. Reliable Dependable and trustworthy, 609-703-3922. We will make your home shine. (8)

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-833-901-0309 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move. (t/n)

In-Home Chores & Organizing for Older Adults - Available for home & closet organizing, meal preparation, errands, house cleaning, and more. Call Mary 732-703-6502. (8)

Affordable Landscaping - Spring Cleanups, Complete lawn maintenance, Sod & seed lawns, Shrubs & tree pruning, Topsoil & mulch and much more. 732-808-7477. (t/n)

Car Service - 24/7. Doctors, shopping, airports, hospitals, cruise, shops, Atlantic City, family functions, NYC accomodations for large groups. Call for reasonable rates. Kerry 732-606-2725. (42)

Garden State Property Maintenance - All yard work. Tree-trimming and removal, stump grinding, pavers, decks, flower beds, weeding. 609-661-5470. (t/n)

TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED:

• M ail this form to: PO Box 521, Lakehurst, NJ 08733. OR

• Go to jerseyshoreonline.com, click classifieds, fill out the form and pay by credit card. OR

• Fax this form to 732-657-7388 ATTN: ALI.

Auto For Sale • Items For Sale

Items Wanted

2. Print clearly your ad as you want it to read. Include Phone # within ad below (counts as 1 word). Use separate sheet if necessary.

at

*In order to qualify for discounts, the same ad must run over the requested weeks. • Estate/Garage/Yard Sales

for 20 words + $0.40 ea. add’tl word = $ 4 weeks* at $74.95 for 20 words + $0.40 ea. add’tl word = $ Total = $

4. Make check payable in advance to Micromedia Publications, or fill in Mastercard/Visa/American Express SORRY NO DISCOVER info below:

Credit Card# Exp.

Cardholder Signature: Print Name:

Billing Address:

You are responsible for checking your ad the first time it runs and notifying us of any errors. If we make an error, we will correct it and rerun the ad. We will not be responsible for multiple insertions if you do not call us after the first ad run. No refunds for classified ads. Newspapers are available at our office. Please feel free to stop in and check your ad.

5. PHONE NUMBER (THIS IS REQUIRED)

1. Below, circle the heading you would like your ad to appear under: If you have any questions, leave a message for Ali 732-657-7344, ext. 203. Deadline For Classified Ads: 12pm Monday (For that Saturday’s publication)

Around the JerSey Shore

Uncle Floyd, Iconic New Jersey TV Comedian, Dies

By Jason Allentoff

NEW JERSEY - Floyd Vivino, the New Jersey comedian, pianist and television personality best known as the star of The Uncle Floyd Show, has died at age 74, his family announced.

Vivino’s brother Jerry Vivino wrote the following in a Facebook: “With a heavy heart I am sad to announce the passing of my brother and everybody’s favorite uncle, Floyd Vivino.”

The post continued: “After a two-and-ahalf-year battle with ongoing health issues, his curtain peacefully closed at 6:05 p.m. on Thursday, January 22.”

Vivino was born in Paterson and spent his childhood in several North Jersey communi-

ties, including Glen Rock, where he attended high school. He became a cult television figure in the 1970s with “The Uncle Floyd Show,” a low-budget but wildly imaginative program that mixed piano comedy, offbeat humor, celebrity interviews and musical performances alongside a rotating cast of human and puppet sidekicks.

Broadcast on UHF Channel 68, the show quickly built a devoted following throughout the New York–New Jersey region and beyond. Its fans included music legends such as David Bowie and John Lennon, who were among the celebrities known to tune in during the show’s early years.

The first episode aired on January 29, 1974, making it one of the earliest locally produced

At 74

cable television programs in New Jersey.

“The Uncle Floyd Show” ran for nearly three decades, ending in 2001. After it left the air, Vivino continued performing around New Jersey with live productions, including Uncle Floyd’s Wild West Show, an all-ages musical comedy revue. He later hosted a streaming program, “Uncle Floyd on the Radio.”

News of his death prompted an outpouring of tributes on social media Friday, with fans sharing memories of growing up watching “Uncle Floyd” and crediting the show with shaping their sense of humor.

The family plans a private funeral. Details on a public memorial celebration of life are expected to be announced at a later date.

Libraries Host Speed Friending Events For Seniors

OCEAN COUNTY – Seniors looking to expand their social circles will soon have a new opportunity to connect as several Ocean County Library branches host a series of “Speed Friending for Seniors” events this winter and early spring.

The program is designed to help older adults meet new people through brief,

structured conversations. Participants rotate through short chats with others, using guided questions supplied by library staff to spark discussion and identify shared interests. Light refreshments will be available at each session.

Events are scheduled at multiple branches throughout February and March, offering

residents several chances to participate close to home. The sessions are free, but advance registration is required.

Dates and locations include February 3 at 11 a.m. at the Little Egg Harbor branch; February 6 at 11 a.m. at the Jackson branch; February 10 and March 10 at 10:30 a.m. at the Lacey branch; March 3 at 2 p.m. at the

Stafford branch; March 11 at 2 p.m. at the Brick branch; March 12 at 2 p.m. at the Long Beach Island branch; and March 20 at 2 p.m. at the Upper Shores branch.

Library officials say the program aims to foster new friendships, reduce isolation and provide a relaxed, welcoming environment for seniors to socialize.

“Buried but still cheerful! This snowman in Whiting proves even a little Jersey Shore snow can’t melt a warm welcome.” Photo by Jill Palmer. Have a great local photo? Send it to photos@jerseyshoreonline.com for a chance to be featured in this space.

Why Filing A Personal Injury Lawsuit Is The Right Thing To Do

By: Michael J. Deem, Esq. R.C. Shea & Associates

Many people who suffer serious injuries hesitate to file a personal injury lawsuit. They worry about appearing confrontational or feel uncomfortable holding someone else responsible. But when you were injured while following the law—and someone else chose not to—seeking legal relief is not wrong. It is fair, reasonable, and necessary. The rules of the road exist for a reason: to protect everyone. When drivers obey traffic laws, they reduce the risk of harm to themselves and others. When someone ignores those rules—by speeding, texting while driving, running a red light, or driving impaired—they create an unnecessary and entirely avoidable danger. These choices increase the risk of serious injury to innocent people who are doing everything right. The economic impact of a serious injury is often immediate and overwhelming. Emergency room visits, ambulance transport, diagnostic testing, and follow-up care can generate thousands of dollars in medical bills within days. At the same time, many victims are unable to work, resulting in lost wages or even job loss. Household expenses do not stop simply because an injury occurred, leaving families under sudden and

unexpected financial strain.

If you were obeying the law and were injured because another person was not, you should not be left to bear the consequences of their decision. Serious injuries often bring medical expenses, lost income, pain, and long-term limitations that affect every part of your life. Filing a lawsuit is not about revenge or blame; it is about accountability and financial recovery.

Personal injury claims also promote public safety. Holding negligent drivers responsible encourages safer behavior and reinforces the importance of following the law. In most cases, compensation comes from insurance, not directly from the individual. When someone’s decision to break the rules causes serious harm, using the legal system to protect yourself and your future is not wrong—it is exactly what the system is designed to do.

If you have been seriously injured in a motor vehicle crash, getting the right legal guidance can make all the difference. Call a Certified Civil Trial Attorney at R.C. Shea & Associates, where decades of experience matter when it matters most. (732) 505-1212.

Around the JerSey Shore

OCVTS Chefs’ Night Out Returns To Toms River

TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Foundation for Vocational Technical Education will host its 29th annual International Chefs’ Night Out and Gift Auction on March 2, at the RWJBarnabas Health Arena, 1245 Old Freehold Road in Toms River.

The annual fundraiser runs from 6 to 9 p.m. and brings together more than 50 local restaurants and vendors offering food and beverage samplings. The evening also in-

cludes a gift auction and a 50/50 raffle with a top prize valued at $10,000. Proceeds from the event support scholarships, educational programs and student services connected to career and technical education programs throughout Ocean County. Organizers say the funds raised help provide students with resources and opportunities needed to succeed in skilled trades and technical professions.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses looking to support vocational education while gaining exposure within the community. Sponsors will be recognized on a large event banner displayed at the venue.

Tickets and additional event information are available online through the Ocean County Foundation for Vocational Technical Education website.

FUN & GAMES SUDOKU

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Birthstone between sapphire and topaz 10 With 49-Down, creator, writer, and star of HBO’s “Insecure”

Country music?

Updated versions of classic video games, e.g. 23 Former Indian prime minister Gandhi

“All __ is but imita

tion of nature”: Seneca

dónde __?”

Latin for “bear”

that airs the

Hormuz

3 All-caps post, probably

Long exhale 5 “The Great” actress Fanning 6 Uneven?

7 Laser tag sound

8 The “thee” of “of thee I sing” 9 Left-leaning voters 10 Maker of Sektion cabinets

Really under the weather

More foxy

Deep anxiety

Jannings who won the first Best Actor Oscar

22 Render imperfect

24 Actor Beatty

25 Pres. between HST and JFK

27 __ butter

28 Round up

29 To be determined

30 Swiss cheese?

31 Word at the end of

some films

32 Youngest daughter on “Black-ish”

36 Hanging instrument

37 Is in the red

39 Back-and-forth

41 Got behind something, maybe 44 Backyard chef’s array 45 “Frankly,” in texts

Rio greeting

See 10-Across

Actor Morales

Tendon

Fauna counterpart

High scorer on a

test 57 Annual Austin festi

val, familiarly

Big rig

Actress Falco

Prog

Raced

Recipe amt.

JERALDINE SAUNDERS

OMARR’S ASTROLOGICAL FORECAST

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Setting yourself up for true financial freedom could be the dream, and the stars are bringing assistance. If you are considering a collab with a friend or friends, the possibilities look good but always look for yourself.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Plowing through the past can help turn over a new leaf. It could also help you feel more visible and understood. A strategic alliance with the right person could prove to be highly profitable.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Mistakes are your friends when lessons are learned and amends are made, this prevents recurrence. They’re only bad when you shame yourself, refuse accountability, shift blame, learn nothing, rinse and repeat.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): A friend could look for trouble, you’re more likely to be pulled off balance rather than thrilled with their FAFO concept. Teamwork could shift a jointly controlled situation into a better energetic vibe.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A temptation to break out, act out, or burst out should be ignored today in the workplace or other public venue. Someone close could be the perfect companion on your quest. A fresh idea could bring major money.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): If the audience is committed to misunderstanding or thinking the worst, there’s little you can do in the moment. You can show them who you really are over time, but you can’t control what they

choose to believe.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): A sudden shift in finances could be very helpful once you reorient yourself and decide how to maximize the benefit. Play with friends today if you can, you probably need to break free for at least a few hours.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Joyous family connections could be made; health could be on the upswing. Invest in what matters most.

Enlisting a housemate could help get things done more quickly and with more enjoyment.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):

Finding common ground could become easier than you think in at least one situation now. Connect with kids, laughter, and play today, cut loose at least a little, try something new.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): While you may want to team up for resolution in a matter of money or resources, someone else may prefer to stay independent, at least for now. A new innovation in your home space could be pleasing.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): A partnership could bolster confidence and lead to improved communication and cash flow. A new idea could be ripe for sharing, listen to intuition to decide if now is the time.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Review a friendship if something feels off, be sure your closest circle has your back. A fresh financial idea or opportunity could be exciting, vet it fully before you jump in.

ENJOY A SATISFYING START TO YOUR MEAL ON A COLD DAY

ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP WITH CHIPOTLE CREAM AND CRISPY ONIONS

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme Salt and pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

5 cups vegetable or chicken stock For the chipotle sour cream: 1/2 cup sour cream

1 to 2 teaspoons chipotle Tabasco sauce, or to taste

2 teaspoons lime juice

Salt

To serve:

Canned crispy onions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 F.

2. In a large bowl, combine squash, leek, thyme, salt, pepper and olive oil; toss to coat. Spoon mix-

ture onto a parchment lined sheet pan, spreading the vegetables out to a single layer. Roast vegetables 35 to 40 minutes, moving them around with a spatula once, until lightly caramelized. Watch carefully to avoid burning the squash.

3. Remove baking sheet from oven and place the vegetables in a blender with a cup of chicken stock. Puree. Add remaining chicken stock and process the soup until smooth. Or transfer to a saucepan and add the stock slowly while using an immersion blender to puree the soup. Taste for seasoning. Place in saucepan until serving. (If doing ahead, place in bowl, cover and refrigerate.)

4. In a small bowl, mix together sour cream with Tabasco sauce, lime juice and salt. Taste for seasoning. Refrigerate until using.

5. When ready to serve, heat soup on medium to just simmering then ladle into small bowls. Swirl a spoonful of chipotle sour cream into each bowl and sprinkle with crispy onions. Serve immediately.

Advance preparation: This soup may be prepared up to two days ahead through Step 4, covered and refrigerated. Reheat gently. It also freezes well. Adjust the seasonings when you reheat the frozen soup.

(Diane Rossen Worthington is an authority on new American cooking. She is the author of 18 cookbooks, including “Seriously Simple Parties,” and a James Beard Award-winning radio show host. You can contact her at www.seriouslysimple.com.) ©2026 Diane Rossen Worthington. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.