Kayaker pulled from Raritan Bay has died, authorities say

KEANSBURG -The kayaker pulled from Raritan Bay near a Keansburg beach Saturday morning has died, authorities confirm. Jairo Esquivel-Prendas of Summit, was pulled from the waters near the beach at Beachway Avenue and Raritan Avenue following an hours-long search that included the Keansburg Police Department, the New York Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies.… Read the rest of this entry »

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Keansburg Historical Society Seeks To Reopen Its Sandy Damaged Museum

Keansburg Historian Doug Foulks, KHS President Ed Balyk and Councilman Arite Boden

The Keansburg Historical Society hopes to reopen its museum for this upcoming summer season.   All they need is a little money.

The artifacts that were salvaged after Sandy have been in storage in an elevated trailer for the last 2 + years. The popular replicas of the early 1900’s Keansburg Steamships which brought tourists and and real estate investors from New York City to the Burg are being restored Hans Mitkaitis of Master Shripwrights in Atlantic Highlands.

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Christie in Keansburg Monday Morning

MMM photo/Art Gallagher

Governor Chris Christie is scheduled to be in Keansburg on Monday morning, 10:30am, to make an announcement and give updates on the Homeowners’ Elevation Program.

The event is scheduled to take place at a private residence at 57 Beaconlight Ave.

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Kyrillos’s “Drew’s Law” Will Save Kids Lives

“Drew’s Law” is named for 11 year-old Drew Keough Cerrata. The boy was killed in a motor vehicle accident last April

Legislation proposed by Senator Joe Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) and Senator Nicholas Sacco (D-Bergen and Hudson), Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, would lower speed limits to 15 mph on roads adjacent to or passing through parks when they are open or when children are present.  Violators would face fines of between $100 and $400, double the current amount.

Dubbed “Drews Law,” the legislation is named Drew Keough-Cerreta, the 11 year-old Keansburg boy killed last April by a vehicle that was apparently traveling at the 25 mph speed limit.

“The Keansburg community is still reeling from this terrible loss,” said Kyrillos .  We must make sure the roadways around parks give our children the utmost safety. The time to do that is now. Slowing traffic is a small price to pay and I thank members of Drew’s family and others for their input on this important measure.”

Joseph W. Pezzano, Drew’s uncle and a 29 year veteran of the Keansburg Police Department, was on duty and answered the call when his nephew was struck.

In a statement issued in support of the legislation, Pezzano said,

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Hundreds attend candlelight vigil for boy, 11, killed by car in Keansburg

Hundreds attend candlelight vigil for boy, 11, killed by car in Keansburg (via NJ.com)

KEANSBURG – Dozens of young boys dressed in Little League uniforms lined Forest Avenue on Wednesday night, holding a candle in one hand and wiping tears from their eyes with their other. Many of their equally emotional parents stood with their arms…

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$25K raised in 20 hours for family of boy killed in Keansburg

$25K raised in 20 hours for family of boy killed in Keansburg (via NJ.com)

KEANSBURG – More than $25,000 has been raised in less than 24 hours to help pay for funeral arrangements and medical bills for a boy who was struck and killed by a car on Tuesday night. At around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, 11-year-old Drew Keough was a pedestrian…

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Easter is on the Way-April News

Happy Spring!!

Easter falls on Sunday, April 20th this year.
Local Easter Egg Hunts are in swing. Be sure and check your town’s
website for dates and times.
Here is where you can find a complete list of all Monmouth County Municipalities.

Although the town Easter Egg Hunts are usually for residents only.
Here is a list of fun things for everyone. You can find them all and more information on the BizEturtle Calendar of Plays & Events.
KEEP an eye on the Calendar. More added every day.

Saturday, April 5, LUNCH WITH THE EASTER BUNNY
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM at Manasquan Fire Company No. 2
111 Parker Avenue, Manasquan
RSVP: 732-223-2807, Cost: $5
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Saturday, April 5, EASTER EGG HUNT
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM at Eastside Park
Harrison Avenue, Red Bank
Info: 732-530-2782
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Sunday, April 6, PANCAKE BREAKFAST WITH THE EASTER BUNNY
8:30 AM – 11:30 AM at Glendola Fire Department
3404 Belmar Blvd, Wall Township
Info: 732-681-6435
Adults $6.00   Children $4.00
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Christie: Federal Law Keeping RREM Applicants in Limbo

Pallone says legislation is not necessary, regulators can change the rules

Governor Chris Christie listens to a resident’s question in Belmar. March 25, 2014 MMM photo/Art Gallagher. Click for larger view.

Governor Chris Christie told the 650 people in attendance at his Town Hall Meeting in Belmar yesterday that he went to Washington last week to ask HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan to waive the rule that is keeping Sandy victims from rebuilding their homes while they are waiting to find out if they will be approved for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) grants of up to $150,000.

The RREM program will not reimburse homeowners for work done on their homes prior to their acceptance into the program.  Over 3000 people are on the RREM waiting list for the second round of HUD funding which is expected to be awarded late this spring. They are in limbo, living in temporary housing, paying rent and mortgages, while their ruined homes are dormant.

Christie said that Donovan told him he could not waive the rule because a specific federal law prohibits grants being used to pay for work performed prior to the federal approval being secured.

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Sweeney and Pallone confirm that Feds are the problem with Sandy relief

Keansburg Deputy Mayor Jimmy Cocuzza, Senate President Steve Sweeney and Congressman Frank Pallone at Sweeney’s Town Hall Meeting in Keansburg, March 20, 2014

Senate President Steve Sweeney and Congressman Frank Pallone tried to feign non-partisanship yesterday at Sweeney’s Town Hall Meeting in Keansburg, the most recent leg on Sweeney’s Sandy Bill of Rights tour. “This is not about politics, or party,” Sweeney said as Pallone nodded “it’s about taking care of the people who need help and getting them the information they need.”

Sweeney’s bill seems to make perfect sense.  It requires plain language explanations of disaster assistance programs and gives applicants the right to know where they are in the process, where they are on waiting lists, and how to appeal.  The bill was cleared with amendments by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee, 4-0 with one abstention, Sen. Jennifer Beck, on Monday.

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Sweeney’s ‘Sandy Bill of Rights’ tour to continue in Keansburg

Sweeney’s ‘Sandy Bill of Rights’ tour to continue in Keansburg (via NJ.com)

TRENTON — As Hurricane Sandy victims continue to complain about New Jersey’s recovery efforts, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney will continue this week to push legislation he says is designed to help them. Sweeney (D-Gloucester) plans to make…

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