Middletown Withdraws from Unfair Affordable Housing Proceedings

MIDDLETOWN, NJ – Last week the Middletown Township Committee directed its attorneys to withdraw from court proceedings that commenced in July 2015 to address unrealistic affordable housing obligations imposed upon municipalities throughout New Jersey by the Supreme Court.  On Wednesday, July 17, 2019, the Township Attorney applied for an Order of Dismissal, which was entered by the Hon. Jamie S. Perri on July 19, 2019.

As a result of the demise of the New Jersey Council on Affordable Housing (“COAH”), municipalities have been subjected to proceedings in Superior Court to address ongoing and ever-increasing demands by the Fair Share Housing Center (“FSHC”) to develop more high density affordable housing. Read the rest of this entry »

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Highlands Clamfest Celebrates 25 Years

HIGHLANDS, N.J. – Food and Music lovers will fill the streets at the Highlands Business Partnership’s 25th Annual Clam Fest from August 1st to August 4th at Huddy Park on Bay & Waterwitch Avenues. The famous Clam Fest is a four-day spectacular event featuring a 120’ seafood court serving the freshest food from many of Highlands’ restaurants and establishments including Lusty Lobster and Chilangos. Other festival favorites include the Lions Club Funnel Cakes, and the Highlands Fire Department BBQ tent. Admission and parking is free, and the event takes place rain or shine.

The 25th Annual Clam Fest will feature a Beer, Wine and Sangria Garden on the corner of Waterwitch and Bay Avenues. Big Mark’s Action Park Amusements will set up the midway with portions of Waterwitch and Bay Avenues closed to street traffic to accommodate the rides, games of chance, specialty vendors and the succulent food court. Every night is “Pay-One-Price Bracelet Night,” when visitors can enjoy the amusement rides all night for $30. Read the rest of this entry »

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The Arnone Report: Stay Cool, Eat Local and Other Great Stuff

By Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Hello! I hope everyone is continuing to enjoy the summertime sunshine and warm weather!

As everyone is aware, we have experienced hotter than normal weather lately. Heat wave or not, I always advise those who plan on spending time outdoors in the heat to be prepared. Heat-related illnesses are preventable.

For those who are not able to be in a cool location, visit an air-conditioned mall or library to get relief from the hot weather. For those who are out in the heat, stay hydrated! It is important to drink water before thirst kicks in! While you’re keeping hydrated, don’t forget to take care of your pets, too! Lastly, don’t forget the sunscreen! Read the rest of this entry »

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110 Teens Complete 27th Annual Sheriff Youth Week

110 Monmouth County teenagers—potential future law enforcement officers–completed the 27th Annual Monmouth County Sheriff Youth Week last Friday during a graduation ceremony at the Police Academy in Freehold.

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Arnone Report: Celebrating Independence, Fixed Roads and Improvement at the Dump

By Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

I hope everyone had a safe and fun Fourth of July holiday! I’d like to thank all those who have served our great nation and protected our freedom. Your service and commitment is truly appreciated.

To celebrate the holiday, I participated in a few events that showcased how special small-town traditions truly are. I’d like to thank the Monmouth County Historical Association for hosting their Independence Day Celebration at the Allen House, where I had the honor of participating in the reading of the Declaration of Independence.

I was happy to spend part of the holiday walking in the annual Ocean Grove Fourth of July Parade. As always, I had a great time walking the route and seeing everyone dressed in their best patriotic clothing while holding American flags.

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Annie Williams Grant, R.I.P.

Annie Williams Grant, 83, was born in Blacksville, South Carolina and passed on July 3, 2019 at Monmouth Medical Center.  She was raised and educated in New York City, attended Northeastern Academy High School, Walter Harvey Junior College and Drake Business School for studies in business administration and bookkeeping.

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Sheriff Golden Warns of Fireworks Danger

Sheriff Shaun Golden wants all to celebrate their patriotism with backyard barbecues, family gatherings as well as professional fireworks displays that will be taking place in Monmouth County, to mark the Fourth of July holiday.

During this celebration, the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office is reminding people that fireworks are dangerous and illegal, with the exception of certain sparkling devices and novelty items, and should only be handled by the professionals. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, on average, 180 people go to the emergency room each day with fireworks related injuries in the month around the July 4^th holiday.

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Sheriff Shaun Golden Announces New Crime Fighting K-9 Team

Mercer County: In the continuing effort to fight crime, Sheriff Shaun Golden is pleased to announce the newest team to the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit. Sheriff’s Officer Doug Marino and K-9 Blue, a two year old Belgian Malinois, graduated from the New Jersey State Police K-9 Scent Class #34 on June 14, after 14 weeks of intense training in explosive detection.

“It’s an honor to welcome this highly trained K-9 team to our unit. S/O Marino and his partner Blue will prove to be a great asset to Monmouth County and local police departments,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden. “K-9 teams are extremely essential when it comes to bolstering homeland security capabilities by playing a vital role in protecting our county against criminal and terroristic threats, combatting the proliferation of drugs, as well as assisting in the apprehension of suspects.”

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Conditions of Barton Cross-Tierney’s Release

Barton Cross-Tierney II, the 29 year Ocean Township man charged with Luring, Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Promoting Obscenity to a child, is free and enjoying his presumption of innocence pending trial, so long as he avoids all contact with his alleged victim, checks in with authorities bi-monthly,  has no contact with any person under the age of 18 and stays off the internet, according to Christopher Swendeman, Public Information Officer for the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. Read the rest of this entry »

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Ocean Township Man Accused of Luring, Endangering

Authorities seek additional victims

Barton Cross-Tierney II, 29, of Franklin Ave in Ocean Township, who also goes by Barton Cross, was arrested at his home by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office on June 6, 2019 and charged with Luring, Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Promoting Obscenity to a Child, according to an announcement by Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni.

Throughout 2018, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office received multiple Cybertips regarding a participant of Discord, an online chat platform that allows for text exchanges, voice communications and video chats, engaging in inappropriate conversations with underage girls.  In December 2018, a juvenile female contacted the FBI tipline and reported that she had engaged in an inappropriate online relationship with an adult male from Ocean, NJ, with the Discord username “Barton Cross.”  An investigation revealed that Barton Cross committed sexual acts while in a video chat with the juvenile victim. Read the rest of this entry »

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