18 year old woman dies in Middletown house fire

Aubree LaRusso. photo via facebook

Aubree LaRusso, 18, was killed in a fire in her family’s Middletown home this morning, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

At approximately 6:43 a.m., the Middletown Police and Fire Departments responded to a structure fire at 20 Neptune Place in the North Middletown section of the Township.  After firefighters were able to get the fire under control, an on-scene investigation determined that the cause of the fire was accidental.

Aubree  was found deceased in a bedroom located off of the living room in the family’s residence. Larusso’s mother, brother and a family friend escaped the blaze unharmed. A pet dog was also found deceased in the home. Read the rest of this entry »

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Middletown Man Gets Three Years For Kiddie Porn Distribution

Dale Williams, 46, of Leonard Avenue in Middletown, was sentenced to three years in New Jersey State Prison today after pleading guilty to second degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Distribution of Child Pornography) last April, according to a statement by Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Vincent N. Falcetano, Jr. imposed the sentence and additionally ordered that Williams register as a sex offender and comply with all of the conditions of Megan’s Law upon his release from prison.

A construction worker, Williams was arrested on July 21, 2017, as part of Operation School’s Out.

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Mike’s Bikes Owner Killed By Drunk Driver

Drunk Brooklyn dentist was driving on the wrong side of the highway

Michael Gustafson, 66, the owner of Mike’s Bikes Shop at Route 36 and Ave D in Atlantic Highlands, was pronounced dead early Saturday morning at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, following a motor vehicle crash that occurred at the Middletown/Highlands border on Route 36, according to a statement by Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Anthony F. Sarlo, 62, a dentist from Brooklyn was driving a 2015 Jeep Cherokee westbound in the eastbound lane of Route 36 when he crashed into Gustafson who was driving eastbound in a 2017 Honda Fit at approximately 12:46 a.m.  Both the Highlands and Middletown Police Departments responded to the crash, according to a Highlands law enforcement source.  The Middletown PD handled the initial investigation.

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Mater Dei Prep graduates 109 scholars

Mater Dei Prep, the Catholic High School affiliated with St Mary’s Parish in Middletown, last week graduated its first class of scholars that attended all four years since the school was saved from closure by a $1 million grassroots fundraising campaign.

The 109 graduates of the Catholic preparatory high school collectively received $18.5 million in merit based college scholarships, an average of $169,725 per student, according to a write-up of the graduation on the school’s website.   That’s quite an accomplishment for a school that was slated to close for financial reasons before the school community raised $1 million to keep its doors open. Read the rest of this entry »

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Traffic nightmare in Middletown today

Route 35 in Middletown between Applefarm Road and Woodland Dr will have lane closures for 6-8 hours today due to a water main break, according to an announcement from the Middletown Police Department.

The Applefarm development is without water.

New Jersey American Water Company is expected to restore water service to the area residents within two hours, but the day appears to be shot for businesses on the highway.

Drivers are advised to avoid the area.  Call the Middletown PD Traffic Division, 732-615-2045 with any concerns.

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Shot Fired in Middletown, 1 Dead —“Not a criminal matter”

Middletown Police are in the mist of an active investigation into a shooting death on Rutledge Dr, in Middletown this morning.

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GSP, Middletown-Lincroft Road closures will impact traffic this weekend

Repairs on a Garden State Parkway bridge that was damaged in a traffic accident last November are expected to cause traffic delays in Middletown starting tomorrow morning, April 27 at 10 a.m. through 5 a.m. on Monday morning, April 30.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority will be closing two northbound lanes on the GSP between exit 109 and exit 114 to make repairs on the bridge over Middletown-Lincroft Road in order to make permanent repairs to the structure.

Monmouth County will close Middletown-Lincroft Road (CR-50) between West Front Street and Nutswamp/Dwight Road starting at 10 a.m. on Friday.  One-way traffic for school only vehicles will be permitted on Friday afternoon from 2p.m.-4p.m.

Weather and progress permitting, Middletown-Lincroft Road will reopen on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. Read the rest of this entry »

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Road improvements in Middletown could delay mid-day NJ Transit commuters this week

Residents of the north side of Middletown and Bayshore residents who commute mid-day on NJ Transit’s North Jersey Coast Line via the Middletown train station should leave home earlier than usual this week as Church Street (County Road 50) will be closed near Kings Highway for road construction and improvements, according to an announcement by Freeholder Director Tom Arnone.

Weather permitting, the plan is for Church St to be closed from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m., Monday March 19 through Friday, March 23.  Riders of 9 trains that leave Middletown starting with the 9:31 a.m. departure through the 4:06 p.m departure could be delayed. Read the rest of this entry »

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Rick Hibell replaces Gerry Scharfenberger on Middletown Township Committee

Rick W. Hibell was appointed to the Middletown Township Committee on Tuesday, February 20.  He replaces Gerry Scharfenberger who resigned from the Committee upon being selected to the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

A native of the Belford section of the Township, Hibell is a former Fire Chief and a member of the Planning Board.  He is the owner of E-Z Docks Marine Construction.

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Winning Jersey Cash 5 ticket sold in Port Monmouth

A patron of the Wilson Ave Deli in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown won $192,167 on Wednesday by hitting the winning numbers of the NJ Lottery’s daily Jersey Cash 5 game.

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