Modernizing our stations and rail lines are a big part of how we are expanding GO across the region Maintaining train service during active construction especially when digging a new pedestrian tunnel under live tracks like we’re doing at Long Branch GO Station a project like this would’ve required shutting down the tracks for months –causing major disruptions to train service That’s why an advanced engineering technique known as the Verona System was used at Long Branch GO this fall to install a temporary rail bridge over the tracks so that crews can build a new pedestrian tunnel without interrupting service on the Lakeshore West line Here’s how we install a temporary rail bridge: Previously, Metrolinx used the Verona System on the Hazel McCallion LRT which was the first time it was deployed in Canada Long Branch is one of the first stations in the GO network It was established as part of the first major expansion of GO Transit which brought reliable commuter rail service to the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area only a few hundred commuters used Long Branch daily That number has now grown to over two thousand daily riders emphasizing the station’s vital role in the region’s transit system We were able to connect with one of the very first GO Train riders “It was exciting to see the new service start up and it was clear the service was going to be popular,” said Paul and Long Branch became the station we used from then on.” A photo of train number 930 at Long Branch GO Station on its first day of service The current improvement project will enhance the station’s accessibility and pave the way for more frequent service here are the key upgrades coming to Long Branch GO: These upgrades are essential to bringing the GO Expansion program to life By modernizing Long Branch GO Station and preparing for electrification sustainable transit network that will benefit commuters and the entire region Personal information is collected under the authority of the Metrolinx Act Personal information you provide will be used add you to an e-mail list that may send promotional messages or otherwise provide you with a personalized experience \"our\") of the service provided by this web site (\"Service\") are not responsible for any user-generated content and accounts Content submitted express the views of their author only This Service is only available to users who are at least {age} years old you represent that you are this age or older or otherwise make available to the Service (\"Content\") may be reviewed by staff members All Content you submit or upload may be sent to third-party verification services (including Do not submit any Content that you consider to be private or confidential You agree to not use the Service to submit or link to any Content which is defamatory You are entirely responsible for the content of We may remove or modify any Content submitted at any time Requests for Content to be removed or modified will be undertaken only at our discretion We may terminate your access to all or any part of the Service at any time or re-publish your Content in connection with the Service These terms may be changed at any time without notice If you do not agree with these terms, please do not register or use the Service. 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renters at current rents plus inflation Surrounding the site is a mix of low- and mid-rise residential and main street retail along Lake Shore Boulevard West Initially proposed in December, 2022, WND Associates has resubmitted the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications to the City of Toronto on behalf of the developer the number of residential units has gone from 106 to 549 (including the 14 rental replacement units).  Previous design by Smart Density for Lake Shore West Co-Ownership The total Gross Floor Area (GFA) of the proposal has grown to 36,111m² with residential GFA increasing to 35,946m² The tower would be anchored by a six-storey podium with 1,122m² of indoor and 1,536m² of outdoor amenities including indoor amenities and a terrace on the seventh floor above the podium resulting in a ratio of approximately one elevator for every 110 units — resulting in longer than preferable wait times on average While bicycle parking has been significantly expanded from 73 to 380 long-term spaces motor vehicle parking has not been expanded at the same rate owing to the proximity of the GO station; two levels of underground parking would provide space for 72 vehicles including 62 resident spots and ten visitor spots a small increase from the 47 spaces in the previous proposal offers frequent regional rail service between Hamilton Local transit options include the TTC’s 501 Queen streetcar as well as MiWay buses connecting to Mississauga the area features bike lanes along Lake Shore Boulevard West and access to nearby multi-use trails including the Waterfront and Etobicoke Creek Trails Future transit improvements such as a Lake Shore BRT in Mississauga may improve connections in the future The Long Branch GO station itself is set to see a major upgrade as part of the GO Expansion project A distant aerial view looking southeast to Long Branch Tower UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development you can learn more about it from our Database file you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page EDITOR'S NOTE: This version of this article corrects the credit for the previous design to Smart Density UrbanToronto has a research service, UTPro, that provides comprehensive data on development projects in the Greater Golden Horseshoe — from proposal through to completion. We also offer Instant Reports, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter, New Development Insider that tracks projects from initial application.​​​ GO train riders at Long Branch station are voicing concerns and expressing their collective frustration about overcrowding on the platform in the wake of an incident where a woman was struck and seriously injured It was reported that an express train on the Lakeshore West line was bypassing Long Branch GO in Etobicoke when a 46-year-old woman who was allegedly walking near the edge of the platform was struck by the train during rush hour on Tuesday morning She remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries Riders at the station feel that the ongoing construction contributed to the incident Work has temporarily reduced the train platform to half its size “We don’t have enough space to spread out they’re getting too close to the line to get inside first and get a seat,” one woman told 680News Radio during Thursday morning’s commute It’s like a sardine can,” another man said “At least half of the platform is gone Toronto police issued a news release reminding all transit riders to “remain back from the platform lines and always be aware of approaching trains.” Traffic services are currently investigating the incident Metrolinx says more staff will be present at the train station to control large crowds on the platform “Construction at Long Branch GO Station began in early 2023 as part of the GO Expansion program which required changes to the platforms as well as door restrictions Construction updates will continue to be communicated regularly to the public as progress continues,” a Metrolinx spokesperson said additional safety measures are put in place during construction this includes reducing speeds for passing trains Metrolinx said its thoughts are with the woman and her family at this time and thanked emergency services for responding swiftly to the call “While the incident at Long Branch GO station [is] still under investigation by Toronto police this is an important and sobering reminder of the importance of rail safety and how dangerous trains are,” the spokesperson added “We urge all customers at all times to stand behind the yellow line and ensure a safe distance away from the train on the platform Please remember to always be aware of trains passing at any moment listen for station announcements and ensure your bags and parcels are close to your body.” The construction work at Long Branch station is expected to be completed in 2027 The upgrades include rehabilitated platforms with snow-melting systems A Canadian man arrested on vacation has been proven innocent Melissa Nakhavoly with why he is still being held in the Dominican Republic Warmer temperatures but showers are expected on-and-off for the next few days Meteorologist Natasha Ramsahai has your seven-day forecast Ontario Premier Doug Ford calls on Prime Minister Mark Carney to prioritize a list of projects including the proposed Highway 401 tunnel a mentally ill man who was killed in an Ontario prison is calling out the provincial government over the lack of correctional reform listen to NewsRadio Toronto live anytime and get up-to-the-minute breaking-news alerts weather and video from CityNews Toronto anywhere you are – across all Android and iOS devices You will also start receiving the Star's free morning newsletter A woman walks along the platform at Long Branch station on Wednesday a day after a woman was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries after she was struck by a train on Tuesday A diagram posted at gotransit.com shows that half of the platform at Long Branch Station is closed for construction A GO Transit train is shown at the Long Branch station in Toronto on Sept Police said the 46-year-old woman was walking near the edge of the platform when she was hit by an express train The GO Transit platform where a woman was struck by an express train on Tuesday has been partially closed for several months due to construction at the station Toronto police said the 46-year-old woman was walking near the edge of the platform at Long Branch GO Station when she was hit by an express train bypassing the station at around 8:15 a.m She was rushed to hospital in life-threatening condition No update on her condition was available Wednesday Multiple witnesses said the high-speed train was travelling on the tracks north of the middle platform while passengers waited for the delayed 8:11 a.m eastbound train to arrive on the south side They said the woman was hit at the west end of the platform The impact left her face-down on the yellow strip ‘Call 911,’ and then somebody else yelled ‘Is there a doctor?’” she said Paramedics and police arrived shortly after The incident underscores the importance of railway safety and the need for Metrolinx — the transit agency that owns and operates GO Transit — to implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future a Metrolinx spokesperson said police are still investigating how the incident unfolded The agency said it serves as “a sobering reminder of the importance of rail safety and how dangerous trains are.” “We urge all customers at all times to stand behind the yellow line and ensure a safe distance away from the train on the platform,” the statement said “Please remember to always be aware of trains passing at any moment A diagram posted at gotransit.com shows that half of the platform at Long Branch Station is closed for construction.  Metrolinx said additional safety measures have been implemented at Long Branch since the construction That includes reducing the speeds of passing trains “Additional staff will continue to be deployed while construction is underway,” the agency said adding it reviews the effectiveness of those measures on an ongoing basis The Long Branch GO Station has one island platform and another side platform with tracks on the south side The widest part of the island platform spans approximately three to four metres and about one and a half metres at the west end The length of the platform is reduced to half of its size because Metrolinx is expanding and redesigning the station to make it more accessible Transit riders can only board and leave the train using a limited number of train cars According to Metrolinx construction at the station began in the summer of 2023 and is expected to be finished by 2027 The upgrades will include a new accessible pedestrian tunnel with an elevator and stair connections to the platform level barrier-free washrooms and revisions to the parking lot Daniel Panacci’s backpack got snagged on the Barrie-bound train as it pulled out of the station Tuesday said the construction zone limits the standing area and causes overcrowding during rush hour which was particularly bad the morning of the incident because the 8:11 a.m “It’s so crowded and so narrow so a lot of people stand on the yellow line,” he said Lisa Davis semiregularly takes the GO train while her husband takes it Monday to Friday She said the increased congestion on the platform has been a growing concern since service was reduced in May from a train arriving every 15 minutes to every half hour The construction only exacerbates the problem “It was a recipe for this exact incident.” In 2015, Davis’s childhood friend, Daniel Panacci, was pulled to his death when his backpack was hooked by a departing train during evening rush hour The 31-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene I’m constantly telling my family to be away from the yellow line,” said Davis she wrote to Metrolinx highlighting her concerns and asking the agency to put up safety barriers and work quickly and efficiently to complete the construction at the station Those concerns were echoed by Husein Zjakic whose 11-year-old son was just minutes away from being at the station during the incident The youngster is among a group of roughly 30 students who rely on the GO train to get to their Toronto French immersion school Zjakic and other parents have been asking the school board trustee about getting a bus for the kids to get to school Those requests were renewed again this week Metrolinx “has to do something about the platform.” “They have to resolve the physical crowding,” he said who was catching a Union-bound train on Wednesday morning said the incident has left her questioning whether she will continue to stand on the platform at all just stay in the station and when you hear the train coming in Lenny Squires is at the station almost every day the incident is a wake-up call for passengers to be more aware of their surroundings “People are on their phones and are careless,” he said Metrolinx has increased the number of workers and special constables at the station they were stationed all along the middle platform ushering passengers on and off the train and reminding people not to stand on the yellow strip Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: Account processing issue - the email address may already exist Invalid password or account does not exist Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account This story has been updated because the Jersey Devil Fable Festival Pier Village welcomes expert and novice flyers to its annual Kite Festival Watch the pros fly inflatable kites up and down the beach The fest also features a makers market on the boardwalk plus face painting and live music by the carousel miniature golf and a family-friendly scavenger hunt Go: Pier Village Kite Festival, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 50 Chelsea Ave., Long Branch, piervillage.com. Here are other things to do at the Shore this weekend including the Jersey Devil Fable Festival in Asbury Park Asbury Park First FridayWelcome the warmer weather with Asbury Park First Friday The free event takes place from 5 to 8 p.m Celebrate early childhood education with art entertainment and activities on Saturday during the 2025 Ocean County Children’s Festival at the Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library Presented by the New Jersey Association for the Education of Young Children drop-in family event will have programs and activities geared for young children plus family resources and community connections The theme is “The Wonderful World of Art,” and children can make an original piece of art to take home in the Budding Artists’ Gallery There also will be an interactive family sing-along with music teacher and early childhood specialist Brenda Limaldi of Musically Mindful More information on NJAEYC is available on Facebook and Instagram Go: 2025 Ocean County Children's Festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Ocean County Library, 101 Washington St., Toms River, free; 732-349-6200, theoceancountylibrary.org, njaeyc.org The Tony-nominated musical "Rock of Ages" begins performances Friday at Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal Park the jukebox musical celebrating the best of 1980s rock runs through Sunday Directed and choreographed by Lisa Stevens “I love this show because it doesn’t take itself too seriously — and yet it sneaks up and hits you right in the heart," Stevens said and it reminds us that chasing your dreams Small town girl Sherrie (Landry Champlin) meets city boy Drew (Chad Marge) in 1987 on LA's famous Sunset Strip at the Dupree Room a legendary club that's threatened with demolition The arrival of rocker Stacee Jaxx (Danny Drewes) could be the key to their dreams — or what splits Drew and Sherrie up Navesink Maritime Heritage Association's headquarters will be open during the Weekend in Old Monmouth tour you can learn about the history of Grover House the historic 1730s farmhouse that serves as the association's headquarters Grover House is on the National and New Jersey Registers of Historic Places and successive generations of the Grover family played important roles in the founding of Monmouth County as farmers and traders including one who became the first clerk of Middletown Township Go: Weekend in Old Monmouth, Grover House, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, 930 W. Front St., Red Bank; navesinkmaritime.org/Events Two exhibits at Monmouth MuseumThe Monmouth Museum is presenting a solo exhibition of Jersey City-born artist Fred Staloff and held exhibits throughout the United States “Origins of a Modernist” celebrates Staloff’s artistic vision and talent.​ “The paintings may emerge intuitively from some inner need," Staloff said before his passing I have always felt the need to situate my forms in space I assiduously avoid the flat rendition of form which leads to decoration or stylization." The exhibit is on loan from the Butler Institute of American Art.​ In the museum's Nilson Gallery are works by Carol Nussbaum Balance & Symmetry" features original photographs inviting viewers to view familiar objects in an original way through Carol’s mandala or circular designed fine art "Each image offers the eye an adventure in harmony a mandala is structured around a unifying center and thought to represent both wholeness and the universe be transformed to suggest a period of time or even a movement in the art world,” Nussbaum said in a museum release "Weaving elements of my travel photographs or even a trip to a toy store into an intricate mandala brings a new mood to the experience.” Go: "Fred Staloff: Origins of a Modernist" and "Carol Nussbaum: Harmony, Balance & Symmetry," through Sunday, June 1, Monmouth Museum, 765 Newman Springs Road, Brookdale Community College campus, Lincroft (follow signs to Parking Lot 1), $14, free for kids under 2, $10 for seniors 65 and older; 732-747-2266, monmouthmuseum.org The Red Bank Chamber Music Society presents the Ulysses String Quartet at 4:30 p.m Sunday at Trinity Episcopal Church auditorium in Red Bank The free show features composers whose music re-imagines the traditions of the past especially those of Hungarian and Slavic folk music Opening the program is Dmitri Shostakovich’s String Quartet No a youthful and spirited work filled with folk-inspired melodies and an undercurrent of emotional complexity that hints at the composer’s future brilliance The Ulysses Quartet has performed at Carnegie Hall Formed in 2015 and composed of musicians from the U.S. the ensemble's mission is rooted in the belief that music has the power to connect and inspire Members of the quartet are Christina Bouey Go: Ulysses String Quartet, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Trinity Episcopal Church, 50 White St., Red Bank, free; rbcms.org "Fotografia," an afternoon of jazz celebrating imagery Sunday at Holy Innocents Church in Beach Haven will feature jazz selections including "Fotografia" by Antônio Carlos Jobim; "Blue Monk" by Thelonious Monk; "All the Things You Are" by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II; and "Popsicle Toes" by Michael Franks Also performing will be Richard Kraus on saxophone Presented by the Newark LGBTQ Community Center the third annual Newark LGBTQ Film Festival includes a full slate of LGBTQ films made by  Each of this year’s three feature and 27 short films have been selected to celebrate underrepresented and marginalized communities and most films and events take place at Express Newark Thursday is the opening night film "Ponyboi." Directed by Esteban Arango the thriller stars River Gallo as a young intersex sex worker employed at a laundromat in New Jersey on Valentine’s Day with his pregnant best friend The festival continues its collaboration with Express Newark’s Community Media Center and Paramount’s Content for Change to support emerging LGBTQIA+ filmmakers of the Greater Newark Area with the Sakia Gunn Legacy Filmmaking Fellowship Awardees for 2025 are Odessa Whitlock and Erby Beauvil On Sunday at New Jersey Institute of Technology's Jim Wise Theater is a screening of "To Be Young Gifted & Queer Shorts Program." The showing is free for high school and college students More information and a complete schedule is at newarklgbtqcenter.org/newarklgbtqfilmfestival Go: Newark LGBTQ Film Festival, Thursday to Sunday, most films and events take place at Empress Newark, 54 Halsey St., $7 to $15; newarklgbtqcenter.org/newarklgbtqfilmfestival Following a two-decade career at the Smithsonian Institution a Fairlington artist has opened a new boutique with handmade stationery in Long Branch Creek Theresa Esterlund celebrated the grand opening of her new shop, Open to Being prints and notebooks featuring her original artwork many printed on-site using an antique letterpress “We believe in [the] power of art and words to bring people closer together,” Esterlund said in a press release A handcrafted greeting card is a gift of art Our studio and shop are here to nurture these exchanges.” A highlight of the boutique is the 115-year-old press that Esterlund that uses to print designs individually Colorful prints offer abstract designs and inspirational mantras while minimalist greeting cards share “happy birthday” and “congratulations” messages on cotton card stock “All of my greeting cards and all of my prints — they’re not digital prints,” Esterlund told ARLnow “They’re one-off prints or edition prints that I do letterpress.” The boutique also carries collages and products from local businesses, like Northern Virginia-based tea company Rough Seas Productions Esterlund told ARLnow she never imagined she would open a boutique during lockdown and after being laid off from a 25-year career where she led education programs at the National Museum of Asian Art “The idea for this business was born out of that year of all kinds of things happening in my personal and professional life and me really examining what really mattered to me,” she said Esterlund began taking online art classes during that time When she eventually discovered the letterpress she said she immediately knew what direction she wanted to take next “What I wanted to do was to produce something beautiful that could have the right words to connect people,” Esterlund said She started a three-year letterpress work exchange program in 2022 at the Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center where she familiarized herself with the medium through experimentation and practice She found a letterpress seller by word-of-mouth in the months leading up to her shop’s opening kept the machine long after her husband passed away “My partner and I got to know her and know the craft and got to hear some stories about her husband,” she said “It was just really nice connection for me and something that really matters to me.” Open to Being is Esterlund’s first brick-and-mortar location although she has sold her work independently at D.C.-area markets over the past year and a half Esterlund will offer group classes and events at the shop postcard writing and hand-bound notebook making She also intends to offer private letterpress instruction Esterlund hopes these activities encourage customers to relax reflect and connect with others — something referenced in the new boutique’s name “It’s important for me to be open to whatever the universe offers “It’s important that it’s a little abstract maybe it is a little open to interpretation Toronto and elsewhere along the Lakeshore West Line will deal with modified service this weekend as crews complete “critical track work” to upgrade the system Starting this Saturday and continuing until end of day on Sunday Lakeshore West Line rail service “will be temporarily modified to accommodate critical track work that will bring faster more frequent service across the network,” officials at Metrolinx the provincial agency that oversees GO Transit trains will run hourly on a special schedule and depart at different times than usual.” GO trains run every 15 minutes on the Lakeshore West Line train from Union Station in Toronto will be adjusted to begin instead at Exhibition GO Passengers connecting to GO buses on routes 12 15 and 18 may also experience connection times up to 49 minutes later Metrolinx urges passengers to check GO train and bus schedules online in advance of their trip the planned work throughout the weekend involves crews at Long Branch GO station installing electrical and mechanical utilities on the south platforms and beneath the tracks within the rail corridor to service the new platforms and station building “The Long Branch GO station improvement project will enhance the station’s accessibility and add modern amenities,” Metrolinx said “By modernizing Long Branch GO station we’re paving the way for a more efficient sustainable transit network that will benefit commuters and the entire region.” The Lakeshore West Line serves GO passengers in Toronto Hamilton and areas farther west toward Niagara Subscribe to INsauga – Ontario Headline News’ daily email newsletter for a chance to win a $100 gift card to Toronto Eaton Centre OR Sherway Gardens FREEHOLD — The former general manager of a West Long Branch motorcycle dealership has been charged with stealing almost $6,000 from the company was charged with third-degree theft by taking or exercising unlawful control over property The West Long Branch Police Department initiated the investigation which later included the Prosecutor’s Office More Local News: Teen boy charged in connection with Jones Road fire; More charges added for Waretown man and sales records revealed that Marra-Kaufmann had erroneously received additional paychecks on three separate occasions in late 2022 without authorization by the dealership’s executive leadership but never reported it,” the Prosecutor’s Office said in its statement The Financial Crimes and Special Prosecutions Unit found that around the same time Marra-Kaufmann’s had written a $3,300 check for the personal purchase of a motorcycle That prompted her to hide the loss under the guise of multiple bank fees Marra-Kaufmann never paid an $18,000 deposit owed and then conducted a series of transfers in the accounting system to cover up the loss the theft added up to slightly more than $27,000 Marra-Kaufmann was served a summons to appear in state Superior Court in Freehold with a first appearance tentatively scheduled to take place on June 10 The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Lawrence Nelsen director of the Financial Crimes and Special Prosecutions Unit Marra-Kaufmann is represented by Mitchell J Contact Asbury Park Press reporter Erik Larsen at elarsen@gannettnj.com Police say a body was found at Len Ford Park in the Long Branch neighbourhood on Thursday The cause of death is unknown at this time The body of a man was found at a park in Etobicoke on Thursday Police say they responded to a call reporting the body just before 7 p.m at Len Ford Park in the Long Branch neighbourhood Paramedics and Toronto fire also responded to the call The body was removed and an autopsy is being performed to determine the cause of death adding that they don’t currently have information on the cause of death until the autopsy is complete Police said there aren’t any “obvious” signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances “but the coroner’s report will be required to determine these things with certainty.” A woman is in critical condition after being struck by a GO train bypassing the Long Branch station on Tuesday morning Toronto police say they were called to the GO station at around 8:15 a.m It was reported that an express train on the Lakeshore West line was bypassing Long Branch station when a woman The 46-year-old woman was transported to hospital in life-threatening condition but police remind transit riders to stand back from platform lines and be aware of approaching trains the application notes that the development would conform with the City of Toronto’s Official Plan which mandates building heights not to exceed the width of the adjacent right-of-way.  designed by SRN Architects Inc for Eden Oak Situated at the northwest corner of Lake Shore Boulevard West and Twenty Ninth Street and additional territory north of Skeens Lane The combined area spans approximately 1,095m² This plot includes an easement in favour of multiple utility providers Neighbouring buildings include residential townhouses to the north and residential over commercial spaces to the west An initial proposal in 2016 for a 5-storey building with 32 units was refused leading to an appeal to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) and a settlement with the City in November including a 2020 application for additional visitor parking spaces across Skeens Lane Previous design by SRN Architects Inc for Eden Oak On behalf of the developer, Weston Consulting has formally submitted Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment applications to the City This project is slated for a Gross Floor Area (GFA) of 6,551m² and a Floor Space Index (FSI) of 5.98 establishing a prominent 11-storey streetwall along Lake Shore Boulevard West.  The development would include 139m² of indoor and 163m² of outdoor amenities with a rooftop terrace in the 12th floor including green roof areas One underground level would be dedicated to bicycle parking and locker storage The proposal calls for no residential vehicular parking spaces instead offering six visitor parking spots and 65 bicycle parking spaces (40 underground as well as 18 long-term and 7 short-term spaces at grade).  Lake Shore Boulevard West has a right-of-way width of 36m A required right-of-way widening of approximately 1.6m along the south side of the property would be given to the City The submission references Section 3.1.3(5) of Toronto's Official Plan which stipulates that building heights should not surpass the width of the right-of-way they face This would align with the proposed building height of 36.5m (exclusive of the mechanical penthouse).  Lake Shore is served by TTC streetcars which serve Long Branch GO station where besides other TTC routes and GO trains An aerial view of the site and surrounding area located further south towards the waterfront in the process of being appealed at the Ontario Land Tribunal.  UrbanToronto has a research service, UrbanToronto Pro, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area—from proposal through to completion. We also offer Instant Reports, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter, New Development Insider recovers in hospital after she was struck by a train at Long Branch GO station in September nearly died after she was struck by a train at Long Branch GO Station in September including broken legs and fractures to her elbow and pelvis speaks to her 22-year-old son in her hospital room as she recovers from life-threatening injuries after being struck by a train at Long Branch GO station Manal Srouji speaks to her son while recovering in hospital weeks after she was struck by a train at Long Branch GO station The 46-year-old mother of two suffered life-threatening injuries after her backpack got caught on an express train at the Long Branch GO Station Manal Srouji says she can’t remember the day she nearly died The 46-year-old mother of two suffered life-threatening injuries after witnesses say her backpack got caught on an express train bypassing the Long Branch GO Station on a Tuesday morning in September The impact left Srouji’s body hanging over the platform’s edge Bystanders tried to help her before paramedics arrived Speaking to the Star this week from her hospital bed where she’s convalescing nearly four weeks later that she has no memory of the incident or even the hours leading up to it who was on life-support for days and continues to receive treatment for her two broken legs and multiple fractures “I don’t have to relive it.” The incident has sparked an outpouring of support for the Mississauga woman and ignited calls to Metrolinx — the transit agency that owns and operates GO Transit — to implement more stringent safety measures at the station Commuters who regularly board at Long Branch told the Star that the platform gets overcrowded during the morning rush hour in part because it has been reduced to half its size due to construction Metrolinx said the station is being expanded and redesigned to become more accessible so transit riders can only board and exit a train using a limited number of cars regularly takes to Union Station was running late on that sunny morning Police and witnesses say she was walking near the platform’s edge waiting for the train to arrive on the south side when the express train bypassing the station on the opposite side struck her Srouji’s first memory is of being in hospital she says she remembers hearing her colleague’s voice You’re going to be OK,” Srouji recalls him saying and she has since regained some mobility in her upper body Srouji lies flat on the hospital bed as metal rods keep her legs and pelvis in place There’s no indication yet of when she’ll be able to walk again It’s difficult for her to describe the emotional and physical toll from these last few weeks but she says she’s taking it “one day at a time.” with her mind frequently drifting to her loved ones in Israel as tensions in the Middle East escalate Srouji says she was born in Israel and immigrated to Canada a little more than a decade ago they’re the ones calling her daily to see how she’s doing One of the reasons Srouji says she left Israel is the lifestyle Palestinians face a system of discrimination and racism She was never taught to be proud of her heritage “I get to say what I want to say,” she says “I get to wear my flag and my traditional outfit I get to (show) my tattoo,” which spells Palestine “I get to say ‘I’m Palestinian.’” It pains her to think about those devastated by the war — “The moms and dads that can’t protect their kids.” struggling to complete the sentence as her adult son hands her a tissue The 22-year-old has been at her bedside almost every day acting as a source of motivation for Srouji to get better “My kids are the reason why I’m here,” she says who didn’t agree to be interviewed for this story was the first to tell her that her backpack got caught on the train but the exact details of how it all unfolded are still unclear Metrolinx is conducting an internal investigation into the incident Police were investigating but said on Friday that the case had been suspended because the “the incident is believed to be non-criminal in nature.” “I don’t walk close to the edges or step on the yellow lines.” She believes the incident was preventable and that Metrolinx should have implemented safeguards at the station long before now Among the suggestions she and other concerned commuters have pitched are installing safety barriers on the platform ramping up service so fewer people are waiting at once for their trains and ensuring express trains bypass the station on the tracks furthest from the platforms said additional safety measures “are always put in place during construction.” At Long Branch those include reduced speeds for passing trains and increased customer communication and safety messaging “We will continue to review the effectiveness of these controls on an ongoing basis to ensure the safety of our customers and staff.” The agency said the situation served as a “sobering reminder” of the importance of rail safety and urged commuters to stand behind the yellow line “Please remember to always be aware of trains passing at any moment listen for station announcements and ensure your bags and parcels are close to your body.” all kinds of people — from neighbours to colleagues and fellow commuters who take the same train as her — have rallied behind Srouji Her co-worker Matthew Vezina has organized an online fundraiser to support her recovery He said the goal was initially set at $10,000 and later increased to $20,000 to help with long-term rehabilitation costs “I knew the challenges she was facing immediately and now I’m more aware of her long-term challenges,” he said Her ability to be aware of what’s happened and what she faces in the future “and still have a positive approach and disposition is the greatest thing about her,” Vezina said While it’s too soon to tell when Srouji will be discharged from hospital she says the community support is helping her stay positive “I didn’t expect this at all,” she says LONG BRANCH -- Kushner Cos.' new high-rise planned for the beachfront received final site plan approval Tuesday from the city's planning board both located at its Pier Village properties said it found the hotel plan no longer feasible and went back to the city with a revised plan for luxury condos earlier this year and was granted a redeveloper's agreement with the city that included no tax exemptions the city will receive $750,000 in redevelopment fees from Kushner Cos. which Mayor John Pallone said will be put to use in future city recreation projects Long Branch construction: After four years of court fights, this high-rise condo is ready to get built The approved plan is for 46 condos in a step-like building with a peak height of eight stories and two lower buildings of six and five floors built on top of a raised parking deck Amenities for future condo owners include a roof-top pool on the lowest deck and lounge areas with interspersed landscaping as the plan still needs to be memorialized by way of a resolution by the city council and Kushner Cos such as a state Coastal Area Facility Review Act permit Long Branch dining: MOGO brings its Korean tacos, fried chicken wings and more to Pier Village in Long Branch In 2018, Kushner Cos. received board approval to build a seven-story, 107 room oceanfront hotel. The next year it entered into a redeveloper's agreement to build the hotel which establishes requirements such as design guidelines is needed because the site is located in the Beachfront South Redevelopment Zone one of the zones established in 1996 to revitalize the city's beachfront When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor WindMill Hot Dogs has stood at the corner of Ocean Boulevard and Montgomery Avenue in Long Branch for more than 60 years — and this year Owner Ralph Epstein, who took over the iconic hot dog business from longtime owners the Levine family in 2022 peeled back layers of the restaurant's interior The red and white interior has a "retro modern" feel, he said. It is a look he plans to replicate at WindMill's Belmar location, and eventually in Brick, which is opening at 905 Route 70 North The Ocean Boulevard restaurant will host a grand opening The changes were part of a larger plan to bring more efficiency to the decades-old restaurant from giving the cooks more room in the kitchen and bringing in new cooking equipment to opening up the customer-facing grill area "I built this store to bring us into the next 60 years We're really trying to show everybody what we can do in the space that we've got." That space is 800 square feet at the bottom of a windmill-topped restaurant known for its griddled ¼-pound beef and pork Sabrett hot dogs which are made especially for the WindMill Diners can eat at a counter inside or tables at the base of the windmill including a boiled beef "push cart" hot dog and relishes He tasked a chef from Jumping Brook Country Club in Neptune which he owns and operates with his family a corn salsa and improving WindMill's pickle salsa "We just really to show (people) what we can do in a new environment," Epstein said Go: 586 Ocean Blvd., Long Branch; 732-229-9863, windmillhotdogs.com. .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Anthony Gabbianelli | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comKennedy Poser scored a pair of goals for Ranney in its 6-2 win over Long Branch in Long Branch Ranney (4-6) led 4-0 after the first quarter against Long Branch Each team scored a pair of goals in the third quarter to bring the score to 6-2 Adrianna Fernicola had a goal and an assist for Ranney while Juily Nayar and Chloe Foster each scored one goal Romina Revelo and Roselin Reyes-Lopez each scored a goal in the third quarter for Long Branch (3-8) Marisa DiNapoli made eight saves for Ranney while Katherine Perez-Mora made 15 saves for Long Branch Anthony Gabbianelli can be reached at agabbianellli@njadvancemedia.com The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! Follow us on social: Facebook | Instagram | X (formerly Twitter) Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, (updated 8/1/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 1/1/2025) © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices LONG BRANCH − Police have made arrests in the stabbing of a man Thursday on Broadway “Two suspects have been arrested and there are currently no active threats to the public," Charles Shirley Jr. The victim suffered injuries that were not life-threatening More: Jury finds salesman guilty of aggravated manslaughter in Jackson man's stabbing death Further details were not immediately available Ken Serrano covers crime Reach him at 732-643-4029 or kserrano@gannettnj.com The IndyCar Series season continues on the streets of Long Beach Kyle Kirkwood won pole position for today's 90-lap race on the 11-turn 1.968-mile circuit will include 200 seconds of push-to-pass The race had been 85 laps in previous years Five sets primary (hard) and five sets alternate (soft) to be used during the weekend Teams fielding a rookie driver may use one additional set of primary tires Teams must use one set of primary and one set of new (sticker) alternate tires for at least two laps in the race Alex Palou won the first two races of the 2025 season and is trying to become the first driver to win the first three races of a year since Scott Dixon — the defending Long Beach winner — did so in 2020 has 299 career top-10 finishes and will extend his series record with his 342nd consecutive start Insider: 4 questions about 2026 IndyCar schedule begging for answers 1. Kyle Kirkwood, Andretti Global 2. Colton Herta, Andretti Global 3. Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi 4. Felix Rosenqvist, Meyer Shank 5. Marcus Ericsson, Andretti Global 6. Scott McLaughlin, Team Penske 7. Marcus Armstrong, Meyer Shank 8. Alexander Rossi, Ed Carpenter 9. Pato O'Ward, Arrow McLaren 10. David Malukas, A.J. Foyt 11. Nolan Siegel, Arrow McLaren 12. Christian Lundgaard, Arrow McLaren 13. Will Power, Team Penske 14. Scott Dixon, Chip Ganassi 15. Josef Newgarden, Team Penske 16. Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan 17. Kyffin Simpson, Chip Ganassi 18. Christian Rasmussen, Ed Carpenter 19. Sting Ray Robb, Juncos Hollinger 20. Louis Foster, Rahal Letterman Lanigan 21. Conor Daly, Juncos Hollinger 22. Callum Ilott, Prema 23. Devlin DeFrancesco, Rahal Letterman Lanigan 24. Robert Shwartzman, Prema 25. Rinus VeeKay, Dale Coyne 26. Jacob Abel, Dale Coyne 27. Santino Ferrucci, A.J. Foyt From Nathan Brown, IndyStar Race winner: It’s admittedly boring to pick Alex Palou who has won the first two races of the year and is a two-time defending series champ Palou has never finished outside the top-5 and has logged two podiums it’s hard to imagine someone else taking the checkered flag Something you might not expect: Prema logs its first top-10 in IndyCar via Callum Ilott who just misses advancing into the Fast 12 but manages a clean race and makes his way through the field to finish 10th (All times ET; all IndyCar sessions are on IndyCar Live Kevin Lee and Jack Harvey are the pit reporters How can I stream the IndyCar race at Long Beach today?FoxSports.com, Fox Sports app Watch with a Fubo free trial (Team and drivers; *-Indianapolis 500 only) IndyCar Series 2025 points championship points(through two of 17 races) still needs to bring its plan before the Planning Board for site plan approval but the first major hurdle was cleared Wednesday when the city OK'd a new Redeveloper's Agreement Mayor John Pallone said the new proposal is "a smaller and less intense project," that will "bring in substantially more ratables for the city," adding that "there will absolutely be no tax abatement for this project." The city will receive $750,000 in redevelopment fees from Kushner Cos. which Pallone said will be put to use in future city recreation projects Demolition days: Kushner demolishes buildings for Onada Surf Club, next Long Branch resort In 2018, Kushner Cos. received board approval to build a seven-story, 107 room oceanfront hotel. The next year it entered into a redeveloper's agreement to build the hotel said it found the hotel plan no longer feasible and went back to the city with a revised plan for luxury condos "We’re always considering the highest and best use for each of our properties and we feel that a luxury condo project is the best option," said Michael Sommer Kushner founder: Charles Kushner, who Trump tapped for French Ambassador appointment, has Long Branch home is proposing calls for 46 luxury condo units and related amenities such as an outdoor pool The garage would be used by the condo owners as well as hotel guests at the Wave Resort which is across the street of Pier Village a mix of residential apartments and condos restaurants and boutique shops also owned by Kushner Cos Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com Rock outfit PLAIINS present new single ‘Happy Faces’ along with a music video This is the first single from their debut album which will be released this summer via Long Branch Records Stream the single here: https://plaiins.lnk.to/happyfaces “‘Happy Faces’ is a fast and raucous punk indie song about the duality of the protagonists views of the importance of putting on a happy face to promote a joyful view on the world and being courageous throwing yourself into the unknown and the compromising hypocrisy of going too far,” comments singer Chris Reardon Do you become a happier freer person or is it a mere mask obscuring a person’s view on reality As the song starts it all seems to point toward the first but as the song progresses the protagonist takes things further and further Buying a whole bar a round of drinks on his credit card without any thought screaming “Happy dumbass faces”.” PLAIINS hit you like a freight train – songs full of power and character Founded by singer Chris amidst the pandemic PLAIINS are growing on the soil made fertile by bands like IDLES, QOTSA and Turnstile Since the release of their debut single ‘The Wolf’ in March 2022, Dizzy, Flo, Timon and Chris have racked up tons of streams been featured in major editorial playlists on all important platforms (All New Rock All New Punk etc) and been a recurring guest on big radio stations like BBC Radio 1 PLAIINS are:Chris Reardon – Vocals GuitarsTimon Lanzinger – BassDavid Suhlrie – DrumsFlorian Kaninck – Guitars Full of Hell will release their new EP Broken Sword, Rotten Shield on May 16th [pre-order]… Montgomery Parks and Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) completed a new fish passage project at the stream underpass of Piney Branch Road in the Long Branch community, helping restore habitat for migratory fish and support local aquatic communities. Funded through Purple Line mitigation project, the work involved installing a new baseflow culvert with specialized “fins” to increase flow depth, allowing fish to swim through more easily. Species that will benefit from this project include the eastern blacknose dace, creek chub, and white sucker. Additionally, further investments in water quality are expected to boost biodiversity along the stretch of Long Branch. “This stream restoration project represents more than just an environmental responsibility — it reflects our community’s deep connection to this stream and our shared commitment to preserving it for future generations,” said Ray Biggs II senior project director, MTA Purple Line. Furthermore, the project raised the streambed and provided channel stability to enhance instream habitat and support aquatic biodiversity. A woman is in hospital after being hit by a GO Train Tuesday morning Toronto Police say they were called at 8:17 a.m to the Long Branch GO Station for reports that a train had struck a person We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentA woman was taken to hospital with serious injuries Anyone with information is asked to call police Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience Don't have an account? Create Account transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy You can manage saved articles in your account LONG BRANCH - A fatal shooting Sunday afternoon in Long Branch is under investigation The incident took place around noon on Garrett Drive where he was pronounced dead that afternoon The shooting is under active joint investigation by members of the MCPO Major Crimes Bureau and the Long Branch Police Department the individual or individuals remained at large Anyone with information about this matter is urged to contact prosecutor’s office Detective Joe Leon at 800-533-7443 or Long Branch Police Department Detective David Stone at 732-222-1000 FREEHOLD - An appellate court today upheld the conviction and 150-year prison term for  Scott Kologi sister and surrogate grandmother with his brother's assault rifle at the family's New Year's Eve party in 2017 Mawla of the Appellate Division of Superior Court rejected 10 arguments put forth by Kologi's attorneys seeking to overturn his conviction and sentence Chief among the arguments was that the sentencing judge did not adequately consider Kologi's youth and mental limitations in imposing a "grossly excessive sentence.'' the longtime companion of his grandfather whom he considered his grandmother all gathered at the family's Long Branch home for a New Year's Eve party in convicting Kologi of four counts of murder rejected an insanity defense put forth by his attorneys They argued at Kologi's 2022 trial that he is autistic and schizophrenic and was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time of the massacre The defense argued in its appeal that Superior Court Judge Marc C in sentencing Kologi to 150 years in prison the fact that his mother rebuffed his request for mental health treatment and that his brother left a loaded assault rifle next to his bed Kologi was tried as an adult because of the seriousness of the offenses the appellate judges cited evidence that Kologi planned the murders methodically chose whom to kill and whom to spare and then disarmed himself and waited in his bedroom for police to arrive "These facts outweighed the limited evidence showing defendant sought mental health treatment presented through his aunt's testimony,'' the judges wrote in their opinion The panel noted what Lemieux said in sentencing Kologi: "These acts that the defendant was involved with are clearly the acts of an evil man with an evil spirit with an intention to kill as many people in his path.'' Kologi will not become eligible for parole until he has served 127 years "The trial judge emphasized his intention was that 'defendant never sees the light of the outside of a jail cell ever again,'' the appellate panel noted Upon learning of the appellate court decision Lomurro vowed to appeal to the state Supreme Court and the easier thing to do is walk away and say Scott was a 16-year-old autistic boy with many issues that went ignored The Asbury Park Press has reached out to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office for comment and is waiting to hear back The appellate judges also rejected defense arguments that Lemieux improperly allowed the jury to view Kologi's videotaped confession The defense argued the confession should have been excluded because an older brother who acted as the defendant's guardian during the police questioning had a conflict of interest "The record supports the court's conclusion the brother acted with defendant's best interests in mind,'' the appellate judges wrote supported the defendant and ensured that he understood his rights Defendant's rights were not violated by the brother counseling him to tell the truth.'' Kologi gave detectives a detailed account of the massacre telling them he took his brother's assault rifle loaded a total of 30 bullets into two magazines and turned out the lights in his room so his mother wouldn't see him when she came to look for him minutes before midnight Kologi told detectives he shot her five to seven times in the chest and torso and then shot his father in the back when he came upstairs to see what was going on Kologi said he went downstairs and pumped four bullets into Shulz before turning the gun on his sister and shooting her three times in the chest and head Kologi also told the detectives about experiencing bizarre hallucinations since he was a child He said he felt like he was watching a movie as he was killing his family members testified the teen told his mother he wanted to talk to a therapist about thoughts of harming his family argued to the jury that Kologi knew exactly what he was doing when he loaded the assault rifle and pulled its trigger 14 times while aiming at family members Kologi is serving his term at New Jersey State Prison in Trenton legal issues and just about every major murder trial to hit Monmouth and Ocean counties 3vs1UCLA 3 UCLA 3-1 In Sold Out Walter Pyramid2/7/2025 10:15:00 PM | Men's Volleyball Long Beach State played a gritty four-set match against the Bruins and came out victorious 1 Long Beach State continued their undefeated season with a win over No Long Beach State ran away with the lead to finish two fast paced sets and take the match 3-1 as the Long Beach State blockers held the Bruins to a .304 hitting percentage Long Beach State played three set points and had to fight off a service ace that shot UCLA to 20-24 A service error by the Bruins ended the set 25-21 in favor of Long Beach State Moni Nikolov could not be stopped from the service line as he hit three service aces to start the fourth set Nikolov hit a kill from the overpass to snatch the momentum right back Nikolov aided in a triple block to put the Beach up 20-16 Long Beach State reached match point thanks to a hit off the block by Siapanis and a service error from the Bruins closed out the match 25-22 Long Beach State will head to Pauley Pavilion to face the Bruins in a rematch between the two Top 5 programs on Wednesday LONG BRANCH -- There will be a new chapter in the life of a building that's been an essential part of the Broadway streetscape since the early 1900s Father & son real estate developers Martin and Tomer Weber's plan to restore the former Long Branch Record building was approved by the city's Planning Board last week coupled with a redeveloper's agreement they inked with the city back in November clears the way for the building's reuse as high-end apartments above retail The four-story building with the archway entrance and brick façade was once used as the offices for city's hometown paper Monmouth County Property Records indicate the building was constructed in 1910 and some additional commercial space big enough for a possible cafe The Long Branch Record building is one block up from Kushner project Both are in the Lower Broadway redevelopment zone established in 1996 along with several zones at the beachfront to spur economic growth in the neighborhood The Tomers were approved for six apartments and 1,329-square feet of retail on the ground floor While a city can offer tax exemptions in a redevelopment zone no tax breaks were awarded for this project LONG BRANCH -- Last March Kushner Cos. put the shovel to the ground and tossed the proverbial dirt in the air launching the start of its transformative project to deliver 299 high-end apartments a Superfresh grocery market and a café to the neighborhood the steel has risen out of the ground and the sound of workers hammering nails pierces the air as the new buildings take shape on lower Broadway's two former barren blocks "Our first residential building is almost completely framed The foundation for the second building is nearing completion The steel and framing for the grocer building are well underway is putting a pair of four-story apartment buildings across from each other at the corner of Second Avenue and Broadway the first of which to go up is on Broadway's south side The Superfresh is closer to the corner of Liberty Street on the north side of Broadway Renovating in Long Branch: WindMill in the West End gets a new look Sommer said they project the first residential units will be ready for tenants in the spring of 2026 while the whole project could be completed by the end of the year Also part of the project was a change to the street pattern at the intersection of Second where Kushner put a small traffic circle at the "five corners," where the four streets meet "We’re very excited with the progress made throughout the winter and we look forward to completing this important 'Dream realized': See what Long Branch library looks like after $6.2M was poured in and sometimes contentious redevelopment plan designating several sections of the beachfront and lower Broadway as redevelopment zones While subsequent developers raced to the beachfront An early development group lost steam in the 2008 recession The roughly 54 properties on lower Broadway were then purchased by another developer After a squabble in court with the city over back taxes and property rights the partners were able to clear the landscape of the many derelict buildings before it decided to sell the properties to Kushner in 2018 Reach him @danielradelapp; dradel@gannettnj.com LONG BRANCH -- Kushner Companies wants to swap out its plan to build a seven-story 107 room oceanfront hotel next to Pier Village for an eight-story luxury condo building instead Based on a new agreement it's seeking; Kushner Cos said the hotel plan was no longer economically feasible The hotel would've been Kushner's third hotel at the beachfront along with the Wave Resort and the Bungalow Hotel which are both located inside Pier Village Kushner Cos.' representatives were not immediately available for comment UPDATE TO THIS STORY: Long Branch, Kushner dump Onada hotel plan, sign deal for 46 luxury oceanfront condos The Mayor and City Council will vote Wednesday to approve the change and grant a new redeveloper's agreement The redevelopment plan excludes tax exemptions City attorney Louis Rainone said if the mayor and council approve the new agreement will need to go back to the Planning Board for site plan approval More: Charles Kushner, who Trump tapped for French Ambassador appointment, has Long Branch home Kushner Cos. assembled the 1.8 acre property for the now proposed condo building in four land purchases at the corner of Morris and Ocean avenues between 2017 and 2021 spent approximately $11.5 million to purchase the properties which contained three houses and a 1950s-era motel Kushner then leveled the properties in anticipation of building the Onada Surf Club, which it received board approval for in 2018. In 2019 it entered into a redeveloper's agreement with the city for the hotel If You GoThe regular meeting of the mayor and council will start at 7:30 p.m (This story was updated to add a photo gallery) FREEHOLD − Authorities have charged two Long Branch men with murder in the stabbing of a city man on Friday each drew murder and weapons charges in the killing of 35-year-old Eren Kurkcu in Long Branch Long Branch police were called to the 200 block of Broadway on the report of a stabbing Patrol officers found Kurkcu with several stab wounds where he died from his injuries the next day The Major Crimes Bureau of the prosecutor's office and the Long Branch Police Department found that Faust and Rivera-Cosme were responsible for the stabbing More: Long Branch teen's convictions and 150-year prison term in family massacre upheld by court Attorney information for the two men was not immediately available Both are being held at Monmouth County Jail in Freehold Township Santiago is urging anyone with information on the crime to call Detective Joseph Mason of the prosecutor's office at 800-533-7443 or Long Branch Detective Kevin Morris at 732-222-1000 LONG BRANCH -- A 10-story beachfront condo, long delayed by litigation, will at last be built following an appellate court decision that upheld a Superior Court ruling that found no wrongdoing on the part of the city and the developer Blackridge Realty accused the city of "spot zoning" because it contended the city extended significant benefits to Ocean 290's project in a beachfront redevelopment zone that were unavailable to others Blackridge then contended that a $2 million redevelopment fee paid to the city by Ocean 290 was illegal because the city lacked standards to determine the amount of the fee and that it was unrelated to the impact of 290 Ocean's project Long Branch is growing: See lower Broadway transformation as 299 apartments, supermarket get built Blackridge claimed that the plan could not be amended without its approval because it was a "designated developer" itself in the zone and had the authority to veto any plan amendments 290 Ocean proposed a redevelopment project to the city that would require an amendment to the design guidelines in the city's Beachfront South Redevelopment Zone one of several redevelopment zones created in 1996 to bring new investment to the beach The city then amended the guidelines to change the permissible building heights from 80 feet to 100 feet increase the allowable building coverage from 35% to 50% and eliminate the density limits in the zone which was recently completed and incorporated an historic Coca-Cola advertisement uncovered during an unrelated building tear-down on Third Avenue More: Long Branch's historic Coca-Cola sign, kept secret for a century, gets new, permanent home said municipalities can collect a redevelopment fee so long as the money is put to offset redevelopment costs The court also ruled that there isn't an explicit nexus requirement regarding the amount of payment a municipality may charge a redeveloper to defray its costs associated with redevelopment The court found the senior center project to be in accordance with law because it is located within close proximity to Ocean 290's site has been impacted by beachfront redevelopment and the fee was used to support the redevelopment within the municipality The court denied Blackridge's spot zoning argument and found the amendment consistent with the city's master plan for the beachfront, which has seen several new and tall luxury condo developments constructed within the redevelopment zones on the beach that were established in 1996. Changes in Long Branch: Renovated WindMill has new look, menu items court the court concluded that since Blackridge's project was complete it was no longer a "designated developer" entitled to vote on the plan amendment "The decision validates the city's position We believed that we were within our rights to be able to negotiate with a developer to the benefit of the city," city attorney Louis Rainone said the city's beloved and award-winning library director who gave a few remarks to the large gathering moments before the ribbon was cut Thursday and everyone flooded the rooms to see the library's new look "We've looked forward to this day for a very long time," he said The early feedback from the public was positive who took her two preschool-age daughters to Barnes & Noble in Eatontown during the renovations said the new look to the second floor children's section creates a space that is "more engaging to the kids." Long Branch: Asbury Park's Buttermee Pancakes coming to Pier Village The section has rows of shelves with children's books and a marine life-themed sitting area painted with manta rays and a blue whale featuring felt acoustic ceiling accents colored green to look like sea kelp including a new history room surrounded by all glass windows and doors Inside a mural depicts the seven presidents who visited and stayed in Long Branch when the city was used as summer resort by the presidents in the 19th and early 20th centuries such as a black-and-white photo of a city's championship football team from 1896 How we got here: Long Branch historian's last gift peps up library history room in midst of $6.2M makeover "We're here today not just to celebrate the expansion of the library but to reflect on the impact this institution has had on the community for the last 100 years and the fulfillment of a vision to establish this library as one of the best in the nation," Garcia said Two years ago the library received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities Long Branch: Century-old building in the West End could be replaced with apartments, shops The library was started in the late 19th century by 30 women who originally opened it in what is now the Ace Pharmacy building on Broadway the small library soon grew too big and land was purchased at 328 Broadway for the new library the library was incorporated when it received a $30,000 grant from steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie who dedicated the last two decades of his life to philanthropy including giving millions of dollars to fund public libraries The original Carnegie section was restored during the renovation 2025 at 12:35 pm ET(Clean Ocean Action)(Clean Ocean Action)LONG BRANCH a volunteer group that leads the clean-ups of Jersey Shore beaches every spring said thousands — "possibly hundreds of thousands" — of these small gray stones washed up on NJ beaches from Pier Village to Sandy Hook last week The group described the stones as "pumice-like a few pieces can easily fit in the palm of a hand Clean Ocean Action said their theory is the stones were used in industrial and made their way into the ocean during recent heavy rains The NJ Department of Environmental Protection has been notified but as of Tuesday the agency has not said what the rocks may be "A concerned citizen helped identify what it could be: foamed glass aggregate," Clean Ocean Action said Tuesday Clean Ocean Action will hold their Spring 2025 Beach Sweeps this Saturday, April 12. The clean-ups will be held at more than 80 beaches, lakes, parks and streams across New Jersey, all from 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. this Saturday. You or your group can sign up here to participate Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.