The BERKELEY Times Vol. 31 - No. 35
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Federal Funds To Help Police Department Rebuild Historic School Seeks Accreditation
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Government Page 6
Community News Pages 7-10
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law Page 17
February 21, 2026
Photo by Chris Lundy Updating the Manitou Park schoolhouse has been a dream for many years, but it may soon be a reality. By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – In the center of the Manitou Park section of town is the Robert L. Taylor Community Basketball Courts, a gathering place for youth and families year round. Next to it is a former schoolhouse that officials hope will one day be a community center. The location makes sense because this is where people gather anyway. But there’s also a historic aspect. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th) recently announced that the federal budget includes “$1,490,000 to restore, renovate, and revitalize the historic Manitou Park
Schoolhouse, which served only African American students and is the only remaining building in Berkeley with ties to the civil rights movement.” This might seem like ancient history, but it’s not. Part of Third Avenue was extended recently and people living there will live on Charles Parker, Sr. Avenue. It was named after Charlie “Pops” Parker who worked security at the courts. He attended the school during segregation and he passed away at 97 in 2020. This is part of the neighborhood’s collective memory and family stories. The school itself is unsafe to enter. For years, (Historic School - See Page 4)
By Chris Lundy SOUTH TOMS RIVER – The police department is eliciting feedback from the community to ensure that they meet the best practices of law enforcement as part of their accreditation. Assessors from the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police will be at the South Toms River Police Department on Thursday, February 26 to examine all aspects of the policies and procedures, management, operations, and support services, Chief Michael C. Schneidt said. “Verification by the team that the South Toms River Police Department meets the Commission’s ‘best practice’ standards is part of a voluntary process to achieve accreditation, a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence,” the chief explained. As part of this final on-site assessment, employees and members of the general public are invited to provide comments to the assessment team. They may do so by telephone or email. The public may call (732) 349-0313 x 134 on Thursday, February 26, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Email comments can be sent to strpd@ boroughofsouthtomsriver.com. Telephone comments are limited to 5 minutes and must address the agency’s ability to comply with the NJSACOP standards. Please contact Chief Schneidt at (732) 349-0313 x (Accreditation - See Page 4)
County’s Fire Service Grows With 25 Graduates
Photo by Stephanie Faughnan Members of the Fall 2025 Firefighter recruit class stand at attention during their graduation ceremony at Lacey Township High School.
By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY - Twenty-five new firefighters earned their badges during a graduation ceremony at Lacey Township High School, marking the completion of six months of intensive training through the Ocean County Fire Academy. The Fall 2025 Firefighter recruit class completed more than 300 hours of classroom instruction and rigorous drill ground training as part of the Ocean County Fire Academy program. With the presentation of their badges, the graduates formally began a
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lifelong commitment to public service. The ceremony opened with an honor guard from the Ocean County Vocational Technical School public safety program, followed by a formal salute to the flag. The national anthem was performed by Samantha Grace and Kelly Scott of the Ocean County Vocational Technical School Performing Arts Program. Chaplain Greg Kennedy then delivered the firefighter’s prayer, asking for strength to save lives and protection for those who answer the call. (Fire Grads - See Page 5)
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