The BERKELEY Times Vol. 32 - No. 5
In This Week’s Edition
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Norma Farrow Rush Celebrates 100 Years Of History
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Photo by Chris Lundy Norma Farrow Rush poses near artifacts from a community for Civil War veterans and a hotel, both created by her grandfather.
Government Page 7
Community News Pages 8-10
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 12
Inside The Law Page 11
By Chris Lundy BERKELEY – As Norma Farrow Rush looks at her elementary school photo and high school yearbook, she tells stories about most of the people in the photographs. That’s hard for most of us, but Norma will be turning 100 this month, and oh, what a hundred years it’s been! The fact that her school photos are exhibits at the Berkeley Township Historical Society says a lot about how long ago this was. Items like this are physical reminders of memories, of which Norma has plenty. Maybe it’s because there are so few photos
from that time. “People didn’t use to get pictures of everything like they do today,” she said. She knew that her dress in the black and white photo was red and white, and that it cost $1.99. Although the Cedar Chest yearbook was property of the Historical Society, Norma keeps her memories close. She has hers in a locker at the foot of her bed. She’s still quite sharp, and quick-witted – ready to fire off a one-liner as easily as a highly detailed story from her childhood. (Norma - See Page 4)
Judge Upholds Search In Dog Shooting Case
By Stephanie Faughnan TOMS RIVER - An Ocean County judge has rejected Jeffrey Lentz’s attempt to throw out evidence in the case accusing him of fatally shooting a French bulldog named Ruby while she was in his care, allowing prosecutors to move forward with the evidence collected during a search of his Berkeley Township home. In a 17-page written opinion, Superior Court Judge Kimarie Rahill denied
Lentz’s motion to suppress evidence, ruling that police lawfully executed the search warrant and had probable cause to obtain it. The judge also denied Lentz’s request for what is known as a Franks hearing, a special court proceeding that allows a defendant to challenge a search warrant by arguing investigators intentionally or recklessly included false information or left out (Judge Upholds - See Page 5)
July 25, 2026
Community Mourns After Tragic Boat Crash By Stephanie Faughnan and Chris Lundy BERKELEY – The community is grieving after two young children died from a tragic boating accident. The New Jersey State Police said troopers responded at approximately 9:09 p.m. on July 19 to reports of a serious vessel crash in the Berkeley Township bay area. According to a preliminary investigation, a 30-foot Tidewater Custom 280 was traveling through the Intracoastal Waterway when it struck an Intracoastal Waterway channel marker. The impact caused a 9-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy to be ejected into the water, police said. State police told Jersey Shore Online that the vessel’s operator, Stephen Schneider, 63, of Bayville, and passenger Laurie Schneider, 64, of Bayville, located the children unresponsive in the water after the crash. Both children were transported to a nearby hospital, where they were pronounced dead. The identities of the children have not been released. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Councilman James Byrnes, visibly moved by the tragedy, said on News 12 that, opposed to rumors circulating online, the children were wearing life vests. He said the town supports the first responders and makes sure they have what they need when they put their lives in danger to help others in situations like this. The Township Council’s regular meeting was the following night, and they held a moment of silence for the victims. On the recommendation of a resident, the Township Council issued a resolution asking state and federal authorities to make sure that channel markers and any other navigational or safety aid is kept in working order. Multiple people have said that the channel marker was functioning properly, including the light on it. Even though there has been no indication that this was the cause of the crash, the tragedy serves as a reminder that these items need to be maintained. This is similar to fixing a traffic light if it is out, Council President Michael Signorile told The Berkeley Times after the meeting.
County Tests AI Text Line For Senior Services By Stephanie Faughnan OCEAN COUNTY - Residents searching for food assistance, transportation, caregiving support or other services for older adults can help test a system designed to provide answers through a text message. Ocean County has introduced an artificial intelligence-powered text line that allows residents to ask questions about local aging resources at any time and receive automated response. The system accepts questions in multiple languages, recognizes spelling errors and draws its answers from a controlled database of Ocean County information rather than searching the
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open internet. Residents are being invited to test the Age-Friendly Ocean County Pilot Text Line by texting 848-2666981. Their questions and feedback will help improve the system before a broader public launch. The pilot was introduced as county and Rutgers officials unveiled the Age-Friendly Ocean County Multisector Plan for Aging, which organizers called the first county-level plan of its kind in New Jersey. The five-year roadmap is intended to help Ocean County prepare for a growing older population and (Senior Services - See Page 14)
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