Arnone Report: Updates on bridge repairs, Shark River dredging and the coming tourism season

By Monmouth County Freeholder Director Tom Arnone

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone speaks at the NJTPA Board Meeting – Jan 22, 2018

While I could say the last few weeks have been very busy, the truth of the matter is that the County stays busy around the year with ongoing projects and initiatives.

I would like to provide a few updates from the departments I oversee, including the County’s Department of Public Works and Engineering. I’m proud to serve as the liaison to this department and cannot praise enough the tremendous work these – and all – County employees do on a daily basis to maintain the high quality of life we enjoy in Monmouth County.

One ongoing project this department has been working on is the rehabilitation of the East End Avenue Bridge, located between Neptune Township and Neptune City.  This project was designed to improve overall safety of the traveling public in the area. Additionally, it’s $3.7 million cost will receive 92% of its funding through the New Jersey State Transportation Trust Fund, with the remainder of funding coming from the County, at no cost to the municipalities. Read the rest of this entry »

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Matt Doherty Gets Big Atlantic City Job From Murphy

Governor Phil Murphy and Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty looking like Chris Christie on Super Tuesday

Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty has joined the Murphy Administration as the Deputy Executive Director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, according to a story posted by NewJerseyGlobe.

Doherty started the job which does not require confirmation by the state Senate on Monday.  His predecessor earned $175,000 per year, according to the NJGlobe report. Read the rest of this entry »

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Sheriff Golden: Safety is top priority during the storm

With a significant winter storm expected to hit Monmouth County on Wednesday, March 7, Sheriff Shaun Golden and his team are warning County residents to be prepared, stay informed and to follow the direction of public safety officials.

“We will be doing our jobs and ask that residents continue to monitor the weather and follow the direction of public safety officials,” said Sheriff Shaun Golden, whose office runs OEM. “It’s expected to be a major storm, particularly Wednesday afternoon through the evening. If we all heed the warnings, pay close attention and are prepared to act accordingly, it will help lessen the impact of the storm.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Pezzullo to challenge Pallone

Rich Pezzullo

Conservative businessman Rich Pezzullo announced last night that he will seek the GOP nomination to challenge Congressman Frank Pallone in the 6th Congressional District of New Jersey (parts of Monmouth and Middlesex counties).

Pezzullo declared his candidacy at the Middlesex County Republican Women’s Club’s annual Reagan Day celebration.

“We can no longer allow enemies of American progress like Frank Pallone to represent us when he and others like him are spending every day trying to hold our nation back. I am challenging him because I believe that the Sixth District deserves so much better — a representative they can rely on, that they can be proud of,” Pezzullo told the gathering. “Pallone was elected to Congress 30 years ago and has not accomplished anything. He is too far left even for his own rabidly leftist party. Isn’t it time for a Congressman who will work for a living?” Read the rest of this entry »

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Greg’s List: Things to Do in Monmouth County This Weekend, March 2-4, 2018

By Greg Kelly

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Friday, March 2

• Fiddler on the Roof by CBA’s Pegasus Productions (Lincroft) – MORE INFO
• Bobby Collins at Count Basie Theatre (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Wild Horses by NJ Repertory Company (Long Branch) – MORE INFO
• Michael Short Art Exhibit Opening (Red Bank) – MORE INFO
• Bye Bye Birdie at Spring Lake Community House – MORE INFO
• “Sylvia” at Monmouth U. (WLB) – MORE INFO

Read the rest of this entry »

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Accused killer of Asbury Park 10 year old is on his way back to New Jersey

Karon Council, photo via Broward County Sheriff’s Office

Karon Council, 18 of Neptune Township, the accused killer of 10 year old Yovanni Banos-Merino, is in the custody of the U.S. Marshall’s Service and is being transported back to New Jersey from, Charles Webster, spokesperson of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed.

Council waved his extradition rights in Broward County Florida Court yesterday.  Last night he was still listed as an inmate of the Broward County Jail. This morning he was no longer listed as an inmate in Florida. Read the rest of this entry »

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Marlboro Launches School Security Reporting Citizens Initiative

Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik

Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik and Police Chief Bruce Hall yesterday launched a campaign, ‘See Something. Say Something. ® We will Do Something’ to encourage citizens to report unusual and suspicious behavior.  They hope that citizen reporting will be an integral part of school security in the Township.

“We are asking residents to be an active partner in the safety of our schools. If you see something on Social Media, hear something, see something out of place, or someone’s behavior doesn’t seem quite right, make that call,” Hornik said in his announcement. “The Citizen Reporting Initiative encourages citizens to be additional eyes and ears in our multi-pronged approach to school security. We ask that you make the report, even anonymously, to the authorities. We would rather that the event be deemed not-credible than to never receive the report.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Extradition Hearing For Accused Killer of Asbury Park 10 Year Old Set For Tuesday

Karon Council, photo via Broward County Sheriff’s Office

The extradition hearing for Karon Council, the 18 year old Neptune Township man accused of murdering 10 year old Yovanni Banos-Merino is scheduled for 1pm on Tuesday February 27 before Judge Kim Thersea Mollica in the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, according to the Court’s website.

Council has been held at the Broward County Jail since his arrest on Sunday in Pompano Beach.

His alleged accomplice, 16 year old Jahdel Birch, is in the custody of the Middlesex County Youth Detention Center.  Birch in due in Court in Freehold on Tuesday.

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Kevin Smith suffers massive heart attack, tweets ‘for now, I’m still above ground’

New Jersey-born actor and director Kevin Smith suffered what a massive heart attack between a pair of scheduled performances Sunday night at a theater in California and later tweeted an update on his condition from the hospital. “After the first show this evening, I had a massive heart attack,” Smith said on Twitter at around 3:30… Read the rest of this entry »

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Accused Killer, Karon Council, Captured in Florida

Karon Council is the suspected shooter of Yovanni Banos-Merino, 10, of Asbury Park

The suspected shooter of 10 year old Yovanni Banos-Merino has been captured in Florida, according to law enforcement sources.

Karon Council, 18, of Neptune Township was apprehended in Pompano Beach, Florida this evening after eluding arrest since the murder of Merino and wounding his mother, Lilia Merino, 38, on Wednesday night, February 21.

The Neptune Township 18 year old was charged with Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Aggravated Assault, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose on Friday, February 23.  His alleged accomplice, Jahdel Birch, 16 of Neptune Township, was arrested at Neptune High School on Thursday the 22.  Read the rest of this entry »

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