The BERKELEY Times Vol. 31 - No. 38
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Students, Parents Accuse Teacher Of Inappropriate Behavior
Meals On Wheels Clients To Get Emergency Help
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Page 7
Community News Pages 8-10
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law Page 11
Photo by Chris Lundy Central Regional High School students protested outside the school after a teacher was accused of an improper relationship with a student By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – While police haven’t filed any charges against a Central Regional High School teacher, students and parents are saying that his behavior has been inappropriate and could even be seen as “grooming.” A Facebook page, Jersey Coast Emergency News, shared screenshots of a conversation of a sexual nature purported to be between a student and a teacher. They named the teacher and posted his photo. This newspaper will not repeat the teacher’s name because accusing someone of a crime is illegal.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder told the media that she is doing her due diligence and passing all the new information on to the proper authorities. Initially, the Facebook page’s accusations were dismissed as hearsay. When even more information came forward, she said she forwarded it all to Berkeley Police and the Institutional Abuse Unit for review. No charges were filed as of yet. JerseyShoreOnline.com reached out to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office about the allegations. (Students - See Page 4)
Food And Fun Served Up At Chefs’ Night Out
Photo by Bob Vosseller Members of the Ocean County Vocational Technical School culinary program serve up some samples of their work during the 29th Annual International Chefs’ Night Out and Gift Auction held at the RWJBarnabas Health Arena in Toms River.
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By Bob Vosseller OCEAN COUNTY – The month of March brings one of the county’s grandest events, the annual Chefs’ Night Out hosted by the Ocean County Vocational Technical School that has a full menu of delicious food, drinks, and desserts from around 60 local restaurants and vendors. The event is always held on the first Monday in March. It moved back to the RWJBarnabas Health Arena on the campus of Toms River High School North last year after two years at the Lacey Elks Lodge. Attendees enjoyed sampling a lot of great flavors. They also came away knowing that they were helping the cause of providing funding for scholarships, educational programs, and support services for OCVTS schools. (Chefs’ Night Out - See Page 5)
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By Sara Rafferty BERKELEY – Township officials will be learning where residents live if they are provided free meal delivery so that they can be serviced even during emergencies. Councilman Michael Signorile said that during the January snowstorm, people who rely on Meals on Wheels were not able to get their food – sometimes for several days while they were stuck in their homes. The township wants to make a list of everyone who receives Meals on Wheels to make sure that they don’t go hungry during weather emergencies, he said. Mayor John Bacchione said that the January storm cost the town $597,665.17. Following the incredible snowstorm, Meals on Wheels stood out for the enormous relief they provided senior residents. Whether it be due to power outages, unsafe road conditions, or they simply couldn’t dig their cars out of the snow piles, the service – made up entirely by local volunteers – helped feed hundreds of local senior residents. According to the Meals on Wheels Ocean County website, in 2025 the service provided nearly 286,000 meals to 2,200 Ocean County seniors. Of those residents, 65% of them lived alone and 89% would not have had regular hot meals without Meals on Wheels. Thousands of seniors avoid hospitals or assisted living facilities for their own reasons; it doesn’t mean they don’t deserve the care and comfort of a good meal in their own homes. According to their website, Meals on Wheels America, nearly 14 million older Americans struggle with hunger each year. The volunteer service has continued to grow as the population ages. Due to the medical developments in the last few decades, people are living longer lives– and outliving their savings. Meals on Wheels is dedicated to providing healthy foods to seniors who may be isolated or far from family, leaving them on their own as they age. The service delivers easy-made meals directly to their front doors, reducing the risks they may face on the road or in busy public spaces. For local information, visit csimow.org or call (609) 978-6869. Chris Lundy contributed to this story.
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