Why I’m voting for Ken Braswell and Rosemary Ryan for Highlands Council

On Tuesday November 7, I will enthusiastically cast my vote for Highlands Borough Council for Ken Braswell and Rosemary Ryan.  If you live in Highlands, I hope you do too.

Ken and Rosemary are ‘new blood with experience,’ if that makes sense. They both have worked hard, as volunteers, for the Highlands community for many years while avoiding the often nasty political fray. They have both served our community unselfishly with dignity and respect for all. They truly are “level headed leaders.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Coast Guard rescues three boaters near Highlands

A Coast Guard boatcrew from Sandy Hook Station pulled three people out the the Sandy Hook Bay near Highlands this afternoon, according to a press release by the USCG.

While on routine patrol at approximately 2:30 p.m., the crew aboard a 29-foot Response Boat-Small witnessed a nine-foot John boat overturn sending the passengers into the water.

The response boat immediately diverted to the scene and rescued the three people from the water. Read the rest of this entry »

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Seastreak Ferry runs aground near Highlands

A commuter ferry operated by Seastreak ran aground about 200 yards from the Highlands pier on Thursday night, March 23, according to an announcement by the U.S. Coast Guard.

At approximately 11:15 p.m., watchstanders at Sector New York Command Center were that 95 passengers were aboard the grounded vessel.

A rescue crew from the Sandy Hook Coast Guard Station arrived on scene and oversaw the safe transfer of passengers from the ferry vessel Whaling City Express to the ferry vessel New Jersey.

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Rick O’Neil is the Right Man for Highlands

By Assemblyman Rob Clifton

I have had the honor and privilege of knowing and working with Rick O’Neil for almost 20-years. Rick and I served together on the Bayshore Conference of Mayors. We worked on issues that affected all the towns from Rick’s hometown of Highlands to my hometown of Matawan. Rick was a leader and the driving force in dealing with the most critical issue we faced then and still face today, illegal drugs. Highlands, under Rick’s leadership, was a supportive and active member of the Bayshore Drug Taskforce.

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Seastreak to upgrade its fleet

Seastreak, the company that provides ferry service from to New York and Jersey City from Atlantic Highlands and Highlands, announced a $24 million upgrade to its fleet of luxury vessels to commence with the construction of a new 600 passenger catamaran that will be delivered in late 2017.

The new vessel, which is being built by Incat-Crowther of Sydney, Australia, will include 520 interior seats with an additional 206 exterior seats located on the second and third deck.  The pilot’s house will be on the third deck, improving the views of passengers on the second deck.  There will be seven restrooms located inside the vessel along with ADA compliant accommodations.

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Highlands Mayor Frank Nolan will not seek a third term

photo by Tim Larsen, Governor’s Office

Highlands Mayor Frank Nolan announced on facebook last night that he will not seek a third term.

Thank you to so many people for encouraging me to run for a third term as mayor. The past six years have been tough with Irene, Sandy, and all the other set backs. Last year was the toughest with my own personal health issues. Those that are closest to me know I have truly enjoyed being an elected official for the past ten years. I am honored and humbled to have been able to serve the town and all its people. I made some mistakes but tried my best to always do the right thing. My role as a father and husband has to come first. For this reason I will not be a candidate for mayor this November and will serve out my current term. I want to thank all the great borough professionals, past and present I have had the pleasure of working with. The many council people and Mayor’s who I may have had my differences with but at the end of the day I think we knew our common goal was the advancement of the town. Special thanks to my wife and soulmate Lori Ann. You have stood by me through thick and thin and I love you forever.

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Police ID body found in ocean as missing Newark man

BRADLEY BEACH – Authorities have identified the body that was discovered floating in the waters off Sea Bright on Thursday as the 31-year-old Newark man who was swept out to sea on Saturday. Julio Pierre was visiting Bradley Beach with friends on Saturday when he disappeared in the ocean near the Brinley Avenue jetty at around… Read the rest of this entry »

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Highlands Employees Injured When Old Borough Hall Ceiling Collapses

Highlands Borough Clerk Carolyn Cummins and Assistant Borough Clerk Debbie Daily were seriously injured this morning when the ceiling of the former borough hall collapsed under them.

The women were in the attic of the Sandy damaged building looking for official documents when the collapse occured.

Highlands Mayor Frank Nolan said that a Medi Vac Helicopter was called for Cummins, but then called off.  Both women have been transported to the Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune.

UPDATE: Both women are expected to make a full recovery.

Highlands’ municipal operations have been conducted in trailers since shortly after Hurricane Sandy ravaged the borough.

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Profile: From Selling Bait to Managing the Belford Seafood Co-Op — A Fish Story

Who: Joseph Branin Age: 69 Family: Married, two daughters, one son Home: Highlands What he does: General manager of Belford Seafood Co-op for nearly 20 years. How many fishermen in the co-op: There are 18 to 20 boats active in the Belford fishing fleet, and some 50 families make their living there. How does… Read the rest of this entry »

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Remembering Tara Ryan

Tara Ryan. Photo courtesy of Ken Braswell, ShoreGrafx.com

By Art Gallagher

Tara Ryan, 63, of Highlands, succumbed to complications of diabetes on Friday, April 1. Tara was with her loving husband Joe Killeen, and other family members when her time came.  Her family and the Highlands community are mourning her loss and celebrating her remarkable life which was devoted to improving the lives of others.

A one term borough councilwoman, Tara was a community leader in Highlands throughout her 21 year residence in the borough.  She was courted by both parties to run for council many times before finally agreeing to run as a Democrat in 2012.

She served on the Board of Education of Highlands Elementary School and the Highlands Zoning Board for many years.

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