don't be surprised if you see Bruce Springsteen out in the street The Boss reeled off quite a list of Jerseyness — specifically related to the Shore — when asked what is the most “Jersey thing” about him on the Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast The interview was conducted at Springsteen's Colts Neck home studio “I'm in the Atlantic Ocean every summer," Springsteen said "I still ride all these roads that I road when I was a kid I still love to go down and get a hot dog from Max's or the Wind Mill I still love to spend a little time in the Asbury Park boardwalk when I can and I live 10 minutes here from my hometown (of Freehold) “I'll be here till the angels come knocking.” Springsteen, 75, performed April 26 with Smokey Robinson Darlene Love and more at the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music's American Music Honors program on the campus of Monmouth University in West Long Branch He also visited movie sets in Freehold, Asbury Park and elsewhere over the winter for the upcoming Springsteen biopic “Deliver Me from Nowhere,” starring Jeremy Allen White The film is about the making of Springsteen’s 1982 lo-fi classic “Nebraska.” A solo Boss was filmed performing songs from “Nebraska” at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank on April 22 Springsteen has been doing press for Thom Zimny-directed “Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band,” which was partly filmed at the Vogel “Road Diary,” released on Hulu earlier this year is viewed as a candidate for nomination in the Emmy’s Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special category The Emmy nominations will be announced Tuesday Springsteen and the E Street Band's 16-date European tour starts Wednesday Subscribe to app.com for the latest on the New Jersey music scene covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey An Asbury Park man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting that occurred last month in the city according to an announcement from Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S faces charges of first-degree attempted murder second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose The charges stem from a shots-fired incident that occurred on the evening of Wednesday At approximately 6:54 p.m., officers from the Asbury Park Police Department responded to reports of gunfire in the 1100 block of Atlantic Avenue investigators recovered five 9mm shell casings at the scene No injuries were reported in connection with the shooting Following an investigation conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau and Asbury Park Police Department Banks was identified as the suspected shooter Authorities did not disclose a potential motive or whether the incident was targeted April 30 in Asbury Park by members of the U.S Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Task Force He was transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution and is currently being held pending his first appearance in Monmouth County Superior Court The case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Bogner No information was available regarding Banks’ legal representation at the time of the announcement Officials emphasized that despite the charges Banks is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law He is entitled to a trial with all constitutional rights afforded by state and federal law No additional information about the circumstances of the shooting or potential witnesses has been released Authorities have not announced whether further charges or arrests are expected in connection to the case © 2008-2025 - Shore News Media & Marketing Ltd the Hillsborough High School boys basketball team’s triumph in the 2014 Somerset County Tournament final was the kind of sports moment you don’t forget without a single Division 1-bound college player But because the Raiders’ head coach was the biggest underdog of them all Ian Progin had been given the grimmest of diagnoses: A stage four glioblastoma brain tumor with a five-year survival rate of under 5 percent he remained on the sideline and guided Hillsborough – a program with little success prior to his tenure – to Skyland Conference Somerset County and NJSIAA Central Group 4 championships His best years as a coach came under the most trying of circumstances Progin’s 14-year battle against brain cancer ended May 2, when he died at age 47 But the life lesson he imparted on his players and others around him – how to handle the toughest adversities – will endure "When we got to the county final the five starters talked and we said if coach can fight through what he's been through there's no reason we can't go out and win this for him," Matt Hornich Progin was a 1996 Hillsborough alum who went on to play hoops collegiately on Rutgers’ 1999-2000 team as a walk-on forward He returned to his high school as a guidance counselor and coach and took the reins of the boys’ program in 2004 “In all the years he was coaching while he had cancer he only missed one game,” said his longtime assistant at Hillsborough “There were days when you knew he didn’t feel well He refused to let his illness slow him down and coaching I think was a (form of) rehabilitation for him.” after the Raiders won the Central Group 4 sectional as a No capturing four straight NJSIAA Tournament road games with an entirely different cast from the senior-heavy group that had won Somerset County the year before It was the quintessence of coaching up kids from the neighborhood Progin returned as the head coach of Hillsborough’s girls varsity squad He led the Raiders to the Central Group 4 final in 2020 before stepping away for good He was inducted into Hillsborough’s Athletics Hall of Fame earlier this year “To see him battle for as long as he did was amazing – it was remarkable,” longtime Montgomery High boys basketball coach Kris Grundy said Grundy and fellow Skyland Conference head coaches Justin Salton of Watchung Hills Kyle Rehrig of North Hunterdon and Ryan McKeever of Immaculata launched an annual Coaches vs Cancer midseason showcase that continues to this day This year the event raised $20,000 for the Rutgers Cancer Institute “All of us drew inspiration from Ian,” Grundy said "For the past 14 years Ian persevered," Fox said and Jeff recently scored his first goal as a member of the Raiders’ boys lacrosse team referencing her steadfast support of Ian throughout his illness and they were his biggest supporters,” Fox said Visitation will take place at Mary Mother of God Roman Catholic Church in Hillsborough on Tuesday with a funeral mass to follow at the church at 11:30 a.m Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com TOMS RIVER - As the Waretown man accused of setting the Jones Road wildfire awaits a decision on whether he will be released from jail he also faces a court date on unrelated charges alleging he beat up a stranger in the woods in Lacey in January and continued to kick the victim as he lay incapacitated on the ground stands accused of setting the wildfire that consumed more than 15,000 acres of Pinelands in recent weeks He is due in court May 12 on charges of endangering an injured victim and two counts of simple assault stemming from a fight on Jan a heavily wooded area within the Brendan T Kling also is due to appear in court on Monday The judge will decide on releasing him from the Ocean County Jail to await trial on charges of aggravated arson arson and hindering apprehension related to the wildfire he is alleged to have started on April 21 The fire was on the east side of Jones Road within the Forked River Mountains Wilderness Area in Ocean Township Kling was arrested April 23 in connection with the wildfire and has been in jail since authorities arrested a 17-year-old and charged him with aggravated arson and hindering apprehension in connection with the wildfire He is being held at the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center Snyder was mulling whether to release Kling or keep him in jail without bail to await trial on the arson charges when she asked an assistant prosecutor and Kling's defense attorney for details of the allegations against him related to the January fight nor defense attorney Joseph Compitello had that information Compitello told Snyder he does not represent Kling in the assault case has obtained the criminal complaints against Kling related to the fight and an affidavit of probable cause to charge him in that case The documents allege Kling injured and endangered the victim by punching him "numerous times throughout the victim's body and head as well as kicking him while he was on the ground incapacitated.'' The police documents described the incident as "a group physical altercation'' and indicated someone recorded a video of it with a cell phone A report distributed by Lacey police said eight people were arrested as a result of an investigation into the incident described as an allegation of an assault with a deadly weapon at Lacey Materials on Jan Only two of the eight people arrested were charged with weapons offenses One of them is a 16-year-old South Toms River resident who was charged with aggravated assault and weapons possession was charged with two counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon He also is charged with aggravated assault accused of attempting to cause bodily injury with a deadly weapon The records do not indicate what type of weapons Fifield is alleged to have possessed Fifield was charged with terroristic threats and simple assault Kling and three other codefendants in the assault case have applied for the court's pretrial intervention program which would enable them to avoid criminal records upon successful completion No decision has been made on Kling's application to the program or the applications of codefendants Brandon Santos charged with aggravated assault and endangering an injured victim charged with endangering an injured victim and two counts of simple assault charged with simple assault  and endangering an injured victim was accepted into the pretrial intervention program on April 22 are scheduled to appear before Superior Court Judge Guy P Ryan on May 12 for early disposition conferences which are proceedings designed to see if cases can be resolved before they are presented to a grand jury for indictment Vanpelt is charged with one count of aggravated assault Only one of the seven adults charged in connection with the fight is not charged with any indictable offenses is charged with one count of simple assault There are no upcoming court dates listed for Viscito Kling's detention hearing in the arson case is schedule to continue Monday The assistant prosecutor said Kling "gambled with the lives and well being of the people of the community when he lit that fire.'' in addition to burning thousands of acres of land forced the evacuation of thousands of residents and destroyed a business Compitello argued for his client's release saying the state has no evidence Kling intended to burn down the forest Authorities allege Kling started a bonfire in a pit in the woods on April 21 with wooden pallets gasoline and a gasoline-drenched item and left the area without putting out the fire The 17-year-old charged in the case helped Kling set the wooden pallets on the fire and also left before the fire was out Lenzi said in court that the pair lied to authorities falsely telling them Mexicans set the blaze Kathleen Hopkins, a reporter in New Jersey since 1985, covers crime, court cases, legal issues and just about every major murder trial to hit Monmouth and Ocean counties. Contact her at khopkins@app.com Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates A 19-year-old Asbury Park teen was captured by US Marshals and charged with firing gunshots in the city last month Asbury Park police responded to the 1100 block of Atlantic Avenue and found five 9mm shell casings Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said Jahsaad Banks was identified as the suspect and was arrested on Wednesday April 30 in Asbury Park by the US Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Task Force He is charged with attempted murder and multiple weapons offenses He was transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution where he is being held pending a court appearance Independent bookstores just got a little more adventurous In a time where giant corporations like Amazon dominate the market brick and mortar bookstores provide a more personalized experience while supporting business from members of the community is taking the intimacy of indie bookstores even further rolling down the streets of Asbury Park as the first mobile romance and fantasy bookstore in New Jersey Kicking off their grand opening May 10 at Talula’s Asbury Park lovers of all things romantic and otherworldly can indulge in the wide assortment of novels Between The Covers Co order a special cocktail and get lost in the pages of a new book to call yours This unique mobile bookstore offers publications ranging from ‘swoon worthy romances to complicated fantasy realms” that gives readers a sweet escape in their free time the bookstore supports local business wherever it pops up with owner Alyssa Regan telling Asbury Park Press “Strong stories deserve strong communities behind them.”  new read or simply want to support independent authors Our mission is to uplift their stories and help readers find characters who look For Between The Covers Co. upcoming events in Monmouth County, click here Cinco de Mayo commemorates a Mexican military victory that took place 160 years ago get in on the fun with specialty menus and activities This bar at Bell Works will host a Cinco de May celebration with mariachi music and margaritas on Wednesday and music will be performed from 6 to 8 p.m Go: 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel; bell.works/new-jersey/bar-bella. This Mexican restaurant's Cinco de Mayo House Party features street food-style snacks Reservations are required for inside the restaurant Go: 610 Bangs Ave., Asbury Park; 732-455-5554, barriocostero.com. A beef patty is seared with consomé and topped with beef birria Go: 199 Route 37, Toms River, 732-270-0025; 1915 Long Beach Blvd., Ship Bottom, 609-879-2525; 2045 Route 88, Brick, 732-451-4747, burger25.com. Go: 272 Bay Ave., Highlands; 732-708-0505, chilangosnj.com. is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with local musical acts and a menu of dishes like aguachile Sinaloense Go: 657 East Bay Ave., Manahawkin section of Stafford; 609-242-5418, rinconcitodemexico.com. With a menu highlighting coastal Mexican cuisine Escondido's Cinco de Mayo celebration will feature games DJ music and a live radio broadcast on Monday Go: 402 W. Main St., Freehold Township; 732-577-0200, escondidonj.com. This 25-year-old, family-owned restaurant will celebrate all day Monday Asbury ParkFollowing a renovation that closed the restaurant from January through March Loteria is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with drink specials and giveaways Go: 632 Mattison Ave., Asbury Par; 732-455-3610, loteriaap.com. which regularly serves a menu of comfort food is cooking up Mexican-inspired specials on Monday Go: 84 Broad St., Keyport; 732-497-5555, oldglorynj.com. located above a bar and restaurant on the boardwalk Go: 500 Boardwalk, Seaside Heights; 732-793-4777, spicycantina.com. STAFFORD -- Faced with the prospect of tariffs on coffee beans has spent the past month calling on his suppliers to deliver so many burlap bags that his garage at home is practically overflowing His decision to invest in coffee now comes down to a calculation: How big of a price increase can his customers absorb Smithman already raised prices to keep up with costs that already had hit record highs He'd like to spare his customers another increase for as long as he can "We were already riding high," Smithman said of the prices The Asbury Park Press caught up with Smithman at Yellow Dog Coffee Roaster to see how a looming trade war is affecting a small business owner It found the coffee roaster scrambling to load up on inventory before higher prices take hold China's retaliatory tariffs: Here are the main U.S. exports to China made in New Jersey If the current proposal by President Donald Trump stands Yellow Dog would need to pay anywhere from 10% more for coffee from Colombia to 32% more for coffee from Indonesia And it would have little choice but to pay the higher price; only 1% of coffee is grown in the U.S. at the highest level in more than a century will ultimately raise revenue to fund the federal government and create U.S the higher prices would filter through the pipeline forcing consumers to decide when to cut back on their coffee intake and Yellow Dog's wholesale customers to decide how much to pass along to their own customers And the threats alone have added uncertainty to the economy leaving Yellow Dog and its modest ecosystem to take their best guess on how to move forward "We don't even know what the real costs are going to be in the economy and we won't know for potentially a very long time," said Robert Scott an economics professor at Monmouth University in West Long Branch "But simply people's fear of uncertainty can change their habits and behaviors." He was working as a police officer in Wall and began drinking coffee to help him get through the overnight shift becoming so enamored with the beverage that he bought a home roasting kit He decided to turn his hobby into a business He named it Yellow Dog Coffee Roasters after his labrador named Oakley He found brick-and-mortar space in strip center shortly before quitting his police officer job Smithman described a business that is equal parts art and science He purchases coffee beans once or twice a month from four different importers who have connections to farms in some seven or eight countries eventually mixing and matching to create different blends Bayman Blend is a combination of beans from Colombia and Ethiopia Crooked Creek is made of beans from Colombia and Peru It wasn't long, though, before Smithman's coffee expenses soared. The price of coffee is set on the commodity exchange, and a drought in Brazil upended the industry's supply, sending prices from $2 a pound in January 2024 to $4 a pound in March 2025. Or more since he pays a premium to buy specialty coffee Cost of tariffs: SBA chief says NJ, other businesses could face 'adjustment period' as Trump tariffs hit 'I've got bags all over the place'Smithman who had charged wholesale customers a set price shifted gears and charged them market rate When Trump announced his plan in April to roll out sweeping tariffs as part of what he called Liberation Day ordering as much coffee as he could find before prices rose once again "That's the game I'm playing right now," Smithman said "I'm doing my best as a little guy to invest now buying more coffee than I could ever imagine right now and he has said trade deals are in the works Economists say tariffs act as a tax that hits low- and moderate-income consumers hardest And there are signs the policy already is taking a toll in a report that found short-term expectations at their lowest level since October 2011 Consumer spending makes up two-thirds of the gross domestic product Customers at Yellow Dog considered what they would do if coffee prices spiked but he might scale back how often he went out for it so I would maybe (go out) once a week instead of twice or three times a week." Yellow Dog's business has been strong enough that Smithman is planning to move into a larger space in the strip center this summer even though he remains unsure about the economic landscape He wonders if Trump will ultimately exempt coffee since the U.S He wonders if the product he sells is so beloved that his customers will continue to buy it he hopes they understand why prices are rising I hope customers recognize that I'm not increasing my profit margin Diamond is a business reporter at the Asbury Park Press He has been writing about the New Jersey economy and health care industry since 1999 He can be reached at mdiamond@gannettnj.com Belmar has a new piano and it's a special one The David and Stelma Sancious piano dedication at the borough's Pyanoe Plaza took place for which the famous Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band was named the people who used to own it left a piano,” said Edward Sancious Stelma taught a young David how to play and he picked it up quickly Springsteen and the members of the E Street Band would rehearse at the home a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame played keyboards on Springsteen's first two albums the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle.” He's also played with Eric Clapton He left the E Street Band to form the band Tone with Ernest Carter and the late Gerald Carboy her sense of giving was not limited,” said David “It wasn't about her home or people who were like her or anything like that It was universal and she believed in it and it instilled in me that one of the best things you can do as a human being is to share anything positive and anything good that you have because that sharing branches out and it survives for years is a digital instrument inside a weatherproof concrete shell made in Israel by Cadenza There are only a handful around the world and players are allowed to play it The Belmar Arts Council donated the piano to celebrate the borough's 150th anniversary David with Carter on drums and Tommy LaBella on sax played a handful of Sancious instrumental songs for the several hundred who were in the plaza for the dedication which had the sounds of thunder in the background was suspended for about a half hour due to rain “It's about time,” said Belmar native AD Cook about the honor “This is the biggest honor of my lifetime,” said David at the close of the set Subscribe to app.com for the latest on the New Jersey music scene FinanceBuzz says margaritas are the most popular cocktail in the U.S And with the annual celebration approaching the personal finance website collected data for the cost of a "house" lime margarita from restaurants and bars across the country It compared the average prices to find the average cost for a margarita nationwide According to the report the cost in New Jersey ties with Montana — claiming the 8th spot on the list The results suggest that for a margarita in the Garden State residents will pay the average price of $11.80 Here are some Jersey Shore spots with the best margaritas former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt warns Americans of challenging times ahead “The Miracle Worker” is set to begin principal photography in Middletown a legal quirk prevents Monmouth County from paying the county prosecutor still doesn’t know whether he will be paid after Saturday New Jersey’s adoption of the 1960 Census leaves no provision for paying Mr Keuper’s $7,000 annual salary once Monmouth County’s population — estimated at 330,000 — becomes official this weekend That’s because his current salary is set by state law and only applies to prosecutors who serve in counties with populations of between 100,000 and 250,000 legal experts agree there is no mechanism for the prosecutor’s salary to be automatically adjusted Keuper an amount less than his colleagues in counties of comparable population size Keuper’s salary to $12,000-a-year has stalled due to a disagreement between Senate Democrats and Republicans over whether other county prosecutors should also get a raise “We’re helpless,” Freeholder Director Joseph C Until the Legislature takes corrective action acting county counsel John Pillsbury said no payment can be made from county funds Keuper now finds himself a victim of the law he is sworn to uphold When I took the job I took an oath of office I am satisfied the matter will be resolved.” Roosevelt delivers speech in Wall TownshipWALL — America must set its own house in order if it is to meet the challenges of the 1960s and beyond The former first lady spoke to more than 100 persons attending an open house at the Turrell Residential Group Center for Girls at Allaire in Wall “Every time we show discrimination and fail to give every one of our citizens complete opportunity to grow it hurts our leadership in the world,” she said Roosevelt explained that children must be taught responsibility and integrity the next generation will not be able to cope with the problems they will have to face,” Mrs Middletown farm to star in ‘The Miracle Worker’MIDDLETOWN — Exterior scenes for the motion picture adaptation of “The Miracle Worker,” based on the Broadway play about the early life of Helen Keller are to be shot on Oak Hill Road beginning next month McLean farm will serve as the backdrop for the film Miss Bancroft originated the title role on Broadway the nurse who taught Helen Keller — who was blind will repeat her role as Miss Keller for the movie Jory will play the part of Miss Keller’s father said yesterday that the McLean farm was selected because it is “very close to what farms in the 1880s should look like.” Think you know what state likes to gamble the most Thanks to online gambling, the industry made $71.9 billion in revenue last year and every year consumers spend more than $100 billion in gambling losses, according to a study by Wallethub The study also shows how troubling a gambling addiction can be The average debt for a male gambling addict is between $55,000 and $90,000 The study shows these debts can lead to troubles including health issues The states with the least gambling issues are Utah NJ ranks high for gambling disordersIt’s most likely due to access to AC casinos but New Jersey ranks third for percentage of adults with gambling disorders If you have a gambling problem, help is available TOMS RIVER - A judge Friday released a Toms River police officer from the Ocean County Jail allowing her to go to an in-patient mental health facility after being accused of smashing a glass door to her ex-boyfriend's home and assaulting him and his new girlfriend last week In letting Rebecca Sayegh out of jail to await trial on charges of home-invasion burglary Superior Court Judge Pamela Snyder imposed strict conditions on the nine-year veteran of the Toms River police force Chief among Sayegh's conditions of release is that she not have contact with the two victims advocated for his client's release during the detention hearing citing her decorated career as a Toms River police officer argued for the defendant to be kept behind bars to await trial used a baton to smash a glass door to her ex-boyfriend's home in Berkeley Township to gain entry after 11 p.m on April 25 before assaulting him and his new girlfriend shoved and screamed profanities at the couple,'' Young told the judge The assistant prosecutor identified Sayegh's ex-boyfriend by his initials "At some point during the physical altercation with the defendant attempting to grab items in the residence and the victims attempting to move their dogs away from the shattered glass which was scattered all over the floor,'' the assistant prosecutor said Sayegh took a house plant and threw it into the living room The victims escaped from the house and called 911 when Sayegh went upstairs to gather more items she resisted and had to be forcibly handcuffed Sayegh continued to yell profanities at the couple and threaten to burn down the house Sayegh caused $2,000 in damage to the front door of the residence and $500 to A.C.'s vehicle "after she scratched the hood of his car with an unknown object,'' Young alleged Turnbach said his client had a dating relationship with A.C for five years and had resided in that very residence with him in deciding whether to keep Sayegh in jail or release her to consider her nine-year record with the Toms River Police Department and the 35 pages of commendations and awards she has received for her work during that time Turnbach said that included a commendation for running into home that was fully involved in flames to rescue people and animals Turnbach said Sayegh "removed everyone safely.'' Another of her awards was for making an arrest in a stabbing at a motel in Seaside Heights while she was working as a Class 2 officer there in 2016 Sayegh donated sick time to a fellow officer in the Toms River Police Department who was in need Young argued Sayegh is a danger to the victims and the community and is at risk to obstruct justice and to flee the jurisdiction because of the seriousness of the charges against her and the prison time she could face if convicted "The defendant was an active law enforcement officer employed by the Toms River Police Department and would be well aware of the consequences and illegality of her actions Turnbach stressed that his client has no prior criminal record whatsoever and received the lowest possible scores on a public safety assessment The judge said she took that into consideration in allowing Sayegh to leave jail to enter a treatment facility While Snyder ordered Sayegh to have absolutely no contact with the two victims she said the defendant will be allowed to go to the Berkeley home for 15 to 20 minutes to collect her belongings Sayegh must be accompanied by aBerkeley police officer Snyder also ordered Sayegh to provide the court with written documentation of her in-patient mental health treatment and authorize court access to her treatment records Sayegh must enroll in an anger management  program and undergo mental health and substance abuse evaluations and comply with all treatment recommendations Sayegh also must report weekly to court staff Snyder scheduled Sayegh's next court appearance for June 9 before Superior Court Judge Guy P TOMS RIVER - When Naomi Elkins killed her two toddlers last year she believed their deaths would eradicate all evil in the world and bring about the coming of the Messiah to the preschool where she worked as a teacher and where her children were enrolled "She thought that if she destroyed her children she would be destroying all the evil in the world,'' the psychologist testified at Elkins' trial in the murders of both of her children Ryan found that while Elkins did kill both her children Ryan then ordered Elkins committed to a secure psychiatric hospital for two lifetimes - one for each child she killed Each life term of commitment equates to 75 years under state law the judge reviewed evidence submitted to him in advance by the state and defense The evidence included Elkins' statement to police after the murders in which she admitted drowning both children in separate bathtubs Elkins admitted she first plunged a knife into the younger child's stomach but she put the child in a bathtub and held her underwater for two to three minutes Elkins other daughter saw what happened and ran away in fear to hide Elkins put her in the tub in a second bathroom "climbed on top of her and held her down while the bathtub filled up,'' the judge said Elkins called the Hatzolah ambulance service "I did something to my kids,'' and "They're drowning,'' the judge noted Pirelli testified that he interviewed Elkins a total of 11 hours over four sessions last year and reviewed medical records and evidence in the case from first responders and officials at the Ocean County Jail before reaching the conclusion that Elkins was experiencing a psychotic episode when she killed her children and did not understand that her actions were wrong Pirelli said Elkins needs "intensive in-patient treatment at a secure facility.''  executive assistant Ocean County prosecutor chief trial attorney in the prosecutor's office Called to testify by defense attorney Mitchell Ansell Pirelli said all those who came in contact with Elkins in the aftermath of the killings police officers and staff at the Ocean County Jail described her as "emotionless.'' The statements she made to all of them had similar "religious themes,'' he said "this concept of being the Messiah,'' Pirelli testified Elkins relayed that she thought either she was the Messiah or her husband was "That becomes a paramount theme,'' Pirelli said this becomes the driving force of the unfortunate events that did unfold.'' "She was undoubtedly psychotic at that time.''  Elkins' husband had left town on a business trip the day before the killings Elkins sat calmly through the entire proceeding as her parents watched from the courtroom gallery Pirelli noted Elkins had been battling mental illness since at least 2018 which is more serious than postpartum depression Elkins started to develop "that concept that she was either a descendant of Hitler or evil entities this self-loathing or idea that she needed to repent,'' Pirelli testified "That unfortunately does lead to this event.'' After Elkins confessed the killings to police they gave her an opportunity to write a letter The letter was presumably to be to her children but "it reads as if it's a letter to God,'' Pirelli said my creator,'' Pirelli said Elkins wrote in the letter but I loved you more,'' the psychologist testified The judge quoted from the letter further: "I put me before my kids Ansell said afterward that Elkins' history of severe mental illness was well-documented as presented through the testimony of Pirelli "This tragic case shines a huge spotlight on mental illness and the problem it causes for so many people in today's society,'' the defense attorney said "The Elkins family is hopeful that this verdict can now start the healing process for everybody involved "The Elkins family wants to extend their gratitude to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office for the compassion they've shown throughout the proceeding,'' Ansell said adding that the hope is his client can continue to get treatment she desperately needs Billhimer said his office could not dispute Pirelli's conclusion that Elkins was legally insane when she killed her children "Based on our review of the facts and circumstances in combination with the expert psychiatric report and testimony the State agrees with this finding,'' Billhimer said Elkins will be forced to carry with her for the rest of her life,'' Billhimer said Elkins' mental health will be evaluated periodically by the court and she will remain committed to a psychiatric institution unless there comes a point when she is no longer considered a danger to herself or others the experts have chosen New Jersey's perfect spot to take one Social media is overflowing with pictures of us and there are so many great spots in the Garden State to take one The experts at Travel Pulse have done the research and have come up with the single best place to take a selfie in New Jersey to name your choice for the Garden State's perfect selfie spot we asked you on several social media platforms to find out your  favorite New Jersey selfie spot New Jersey residents chose some gorgeous places to take a selfie all over the Garden State but did any of their choices match the experts' selection Read More: How Many New Jersey Towns Are On America's Most Beautiful List? agree on the best selfie spot in New Jersey The answer is in the very historic Atlantic City Atlantic City is a perfect place to take a selfie The experts mentioned that if you're looking for a more romantic photo and that means the experts agreed with the residents twice Experts have revealed the perfect place to take a selfie in New Jersey.\nRead More The experts at Travel Pulse have done the research and have come up with the single best place to take a selfie in New Jersey Read More: How Many New Jersey Towns Are On America's Most Beautiful List? Jake Asbury (18) of Mount Olive pitches the ball against Montville during the baseball game at Mount Olive High School in Mount Olive .st1{fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#2a2a2a}By Jason Bernstein | NJ Advance Media for NJ.comJake Asbury had three RBI going 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored as fourth-seeded Mount Olive defeated 12th-seeded Hanover Park in the Morris County Tournament quarterfinals in Flanders Justin Bullock went 3-for-4 with two runs scored for Mount Olive (13-4) Peter Zoccolillo and David Harmon each added a run and a RBI in the win Mount Olive’s sixth in the last seven games Max Wood picked up the win in 1.2 innings of relief striking out three while allowing an unearned run Mount Olive plays top-seeded and five-time defending champion Delbarton in the semifinals on Saturday at 3 p.m The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now! 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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 (ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The ShowRoom presents a screening of Garland Jeffreys: The King of in Between on Saturday Join director Claire Jeffreys for a post-screening Q&A moderated by singer songwriter James Maddock the mixed-race Brooklyn native whose music defied industry norms receives long-overdue recognition in this enlightening documentary rich with archival material and featuring interviews with fans like Harvey Keitel and Vernon Reid sheds light on the life and artistry of an unclassifiable talent Tickets are available for purchase online A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Light of Day Foundation The Showroom is located at 707 Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park The ShowRoom Cinema opened in Asbury Park with a goal of bringing provocative and relevant independent movies and engaging special events to the city’s budding downtown In 2012 the theater evolved into a 3-screen independent cinema and became the leading entertainment destination in Asbury Park’s eclectic The ShowRoom brought an important selection of independent first-run films — including critically-acclaimed domestic and foreign features festival winners and shorts — to the Jersey Shore It also hosted a variety of special one night only screenings live performances and community-driven special events but new owners Daria Parr and family are excited to welcome The ShowRoom back to Asbury Park The ShowRoom will continue to deliver the same high quality film selection and impeccable customer service that the theater has become known for while working toward the big picture goal: restoring some of what was lost during the pandemic by inviting our cherished guests to share the energy and fun of going to the movies again Authorities in Monmouth County announced that an Asbury Park man has been charged in connection with a shots-fired incident that took place in the same town last month was charged with single counts of first-degree Attempted Murder second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose members of the Asbury Park Police Department responded to the 1100 block of Atlantic Avenue for a report of shots fired There were no injuries as a result of this shooting incident Monmouth County authorities say that an investigation by members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau and the Asbury Park Police Department identified Banks as the individual responsible for the shooting incident Banks was located and arrested on Wednesday, April 30, in Asbury Park by members of the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Task Force, MCPO officials said.  MCPO authorities said Banks was transported in to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) where he is being held pending his first appearance in Monmouth County Superior Court FREEHOLD - An Asbury Park man has been charged with attempted murder after firing shots in the area of Atlantic Avenue last month was charged with single counts of first-degree attempted murder according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S Asbury Park Police responded to the 1100 block of Atlantic Avenue for a report of shots fired An investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau and the Asbury Park Police Department identified Banks as the individual responsible for the shooting incident Banks was located and arrested on Wednesday Banks was taken to the Monmouth County Correctional jail where he is being held pending his first appearance in Monmouth County Superior Court What did Jon Stewart do after his epic takedown of President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office on the April 28 edition of “The Daily Show” played the Music Monday series at Georgies Bar Monday night “We know almost eight songs,” quipped Stewart from the stage according to a Georgies press release on the surprise The band also features city singer-songwriter Rick Barry on vocals; Andy Bova of Simple Sound Studio in Oceanport on guitar; and his dad “You guys don’t put on 'The Daily Show' at 11?” said Stewart looking up from behind the drums at the TVs “I drove here straight from the show — this is embarrassing.” Stewart grew up in Lawrenceville and now lives in Colts Neck Georgies Music Monday promoter Sean Navat Balanon was impressed by his performance “We didn't promote that he was going to play but still a lot of people showed up,” Balanon said has been hosting the live music series since September Church and State TM are working on their debut album “Sean and the crew at Georgies have been putting on these amazing showcases of original music for a few months now,” said Barry in a statement “It’s so cool to see it grow into something organic "It has this old-school Asbury hang kind of vibe and we were grateful they were able to fit us in On “The Daily Show,” Stewart delivered a scathing critique of the first 100 days of the second Trump presidency “Trump launched a trade war without any of the preplanning and preparation that needed to be done,” said Stewart Secretary of Treasury Scott) Bessent has to go along with it because he’s in the service of an impulsive man-baby that you have to lie to so he doesn’t turn his firehose of vindictiveness onto you.” ASBURY PARK -- The owners of Moonstruck Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge whose decision to move to a downtrodden Asbury Park in 2002 helped spark a renaissance in the city Luke Magliaro and Howard Raczkiewicz said in a Facebook post they plan to retire after helping with the transition to new ownership and Magliaro said he couldn't comment until the sale was finalized "While this prospect undoubtedly brings excitement we are all too aware of how much we’ll miss this special place and our extraordinary Moonstruck family," Magliaro and Raczkiewicz said on Facebook Moonstruck on Lake Avenue overlooking Wesley Lake earned a reputation for its contemporary American-Mediteranean food — and long waits endured by eager diners Asbury Park dining: Shucked by Local 130 Seafood coming to Asbury Park boardwalk But it also won gratitude from city officials who had little success attracting new businesses and turning around Asbury Park's economic fortunes until Magliaro and Raczkiewicz purchased the building that housed the former Deck House music club and turned it into a high-end restaurant "I really call them 'pioneers' because they took a risk," Tom Gilmour Asbury Park's former economic development director they really took a big risk to come to Asbury Park But because they had such good food and service Magliaro and Rackiewicz opened Moonstruck in 1995 in an Ocean Grove storefront across the street from a breakfast and lunch restaurant that they owned Moonstruck quickly turned heads for its simple Asbury Park Press food critic Andrea Clurfeld wrote shortly after its opening: "The mission here is so clear the focus so strong and the skills so well-ingrained that success is assured." Magliaro and Raczkiewicz set their sights on an expansion They purchased the former Deck House building in 2000 betting that Asbury Park was getting ready to break out of its doldrums and that customers would soon follow New restaurants followed Moonstruck into town Asbury Park Restaurant Tour: It will feature more than 20 restaurants "We're like a show," Raczkiewicz told the Asbury Park Press after announcing the move Magliaro and Raczkiewicz in their Facebook post thanked their employees noting that over the years the restaurant became not only a business but also a family complete with milestones and happy occasions; happiness and joy; and tempers that sometimes flared but made for good stories when cooler heads prevailed Asbury Park news: School dictrict might sell school, cut staff to make up budget shortfall They said the prospective new owners were seasoned restaurateurs who were "enthusiastic about pleasing our loyal clients and committed to working with our dedicated staff." we find solace and hope in the knowledge that Moonstruck is once again in a waxing phase," they wrote Diamond is a business reporter for the Asbury Park Press April was a busy month for the Shore's culinary scene from a world-famous burger chain to a spot serving barbecue by the beach A Long Beach Island borough voted against a new all-day restaurant and a landmark in Asbury Park has new owners Here is the food and dining news we reported on last month Ocean County will get its first Shake Shack Wednesday, May 7, when the restaurant opens at 614 Route 70 in Brick Commons Middletown and the Judy Blume Service Area on the Garden State Parkway in Wall Originally founded as a hot dog cart in New York City Shake Shack is known for its Angus beef burgers the chain will donate $1 from every sandwich sale to Fulfill Food Bank A pair of childhood friends from South Jersey are bringing their Philadelphia-style cheesesteaks to Belmar They hope to open the week prior to Memorial Day Delgado and Haines' concept mirrors the fast-paced style of Philly cheesesteak spots: Customers order ribeye or chicken cheesesteaks with Cooper Sharp American cheese or Cheese Whiz The meu also will have cheese fries; a deep-fried cheesesteak-topped Sabrett hot dog; wings with more than half a dozen sauce options; and panzarotti from Tarantini a Cherry Hill-based company that makes the fried dough pockets filled with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce Buffalo Wild Wings coming to HazletBuffalo Wild Wings is replacing the former TGI Fridays at Hazlet Town Center on Route 35 The new restaurant will be approximately 7,400 square feet with 250 seats Franchisee The Munson Restaurant Group is working to acquire a liquor license and submitting plans to the Hazlet land use board The full-service restaurant has a targeted opening of early 2026 Jersey Freeze, a Monmouth County landmark restaurant and ice cream shop, is expanding. Owners Matt Cangialosi and Katie DiNonno are partnering with restaurateur Matthew Borowski on a Jersey Freeze ice cream store in Colts Neck It replaces a former ice cream shop at The Orchards at Colts Neck on Routes 34 and 537 marks the beginning of an expansion plan to add more ice cream locations and attract franchisees Viana of Lita in Aberdeen, Judy & Harry's in Asbury Park and Heirloom Kitchen in Old Bridge lost to fellow "Top Chef" alum Sara Bradley in the April 6 episode "The Randomizer Strikes Back." It was his first time competing on the show Rescigno, a New Jersey native who now owns a restaurant in Idaho, lost to Chef Antonia Lofaso in the April 20 finale "A New Champion Is Crowned." It was her third time competing on the show The decision followed two meetings that were heavily attended by neighbors of the property who opposed the size of the proposed Harvey Cedars House and the traffic it would bring to the area Board members recommended they consider eliminating an outdoor component of the project that abuts a neighboring property and reconsider traffic configurations Outback Steakhouse opened a new location on Route 35 in Ocean Township in April featuring a new design for the chain with updated interiors and a focus on takeout and delivery The restaurant took over the space previously occupied by Nino's Coal Fired Pizza Its interior features local artwork celebrating Ocean Township and a kangaroo basking in the sights and sounds of nearby Asbury Park Surf City Dog House coming to LBILong Beach Island's dining scene will feature a new kind of hot dog this summer will serve a hot dog that starts with a whole unsplit bun placed atop a heated metal spike "The piercing machine creates a hole and warms and toasts the bun," said Stacey Ghigliotty who plans to open the restaurant with her husband The result is a self-contained hot dog that stays warm The opening menu will offer two specialty hot dogs — the Top Dog garlic sauce and honey mustard — and a build-your-own option and Magliaro told the Asbury Park Press he could not comment until the sale was finalized they relocated to the former Deck House building on Wesley Lake in Asbury Park The TASTE Awards, honoring culinary excellence at the Shore have returned after a post-pandemic hiatus — and diners are invited to help decide the winners Dozens of restaurants are nominated in categories including Best New Restaurant, Best Steakhouse and Best Brunch. The awards are organized by ShoreFoodie.com, a local dining guide from the team behind Jersey Shore Restaurant Week Diners are invited to vote for award finalists at shorturl.at/hVYUK then industry professionals will select the winners Arooga's Grille House & Sports Bar, which opened on Route 9 in Howell in 2020, has closed. The Pennsylvania-based restaurant chain replaced the former Ruby Tuesday location in the Lanes Mill Crossing shopping center Wonder, a food hall serving dishes from a collection of top restaurants, is up and running in Middletown. and dishes from multiple restaurants are prepared simultaneously in one kitchen Diners can take their food to go or eat at nearly a dozen seats Restaurant options include Streetbird by Marcus Samuelsson The former Sickles Market in Little Silver will reopen under new ownership as The Market at Sickles Farm plan to maintain the market's tradition of offering high-quality produce and prepared foods The garden center is expected to open in May with the full market and cafe following in July his business which holds the land of the Little Silver store and his Rumson home his two daughters and a former employee are being hired to run the store all with other locations in Monmouth County have recently opened or soon will inside the Grand Arcade at Convention Hall on the Asbury Park boardwalk: 2025 at 8:17 pm ET.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Moonstruck on Lake Avenue in Asbury Park one of the most iconic restaurants in New Jersey and credited for causing the rebirth of Asbury Park's drinking The restaurant is not closing: It has been sold to new owners Moonstruck Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge announced the news Tuesday in a post on their Facebook page we are formally announcing that at the end of April (fingers crossed) we are selling our beloved Moonstruck Restaurant," the restaurant wrote beginning with The Raspberry Cafe in Ocean Grove we have made the difficult decision to retire." Magliaro and Moonstruck co-owner Howard Raczkiewicz said they want to retire. They are declining to publicly reveal who the new owner is, but the owner plans to keep Moonstruck open and operating as it is now, NJ.com reported is to keep it as much the same as possible," Magliaro told NJ.com this week "They’re going to keep the menu and the staff." "We are passing the torch to new owners who plan to continue and expand the operation while ensuring its legacy lives on they are enthusiastic about pleasing our loyal clients and committed to working with our dedicated staff," said Magliaro and Raczkiewicz in their Facebook page "We’ve agreed to extend our stay for a few weeks to aid in the transition and hope to share our insights on what makes Moonstruck tick." When Moonstruck first opened at its three-story location on Lake Avenue in 2002 — with decks to capture the ocean breezes — Asbury Park was an urban ghost town but storefronts were boarded up and vacant and the property was surrounded by empty lots But Moonstruck quickly developed a reputation for good food and was followed by the opening of dozens of other small businesses on Lake Avenue today followed by Asbury Park's condo building boom "I really call them 'pioneers' because they took a risk," Tom Gilmour, Asbury Park's former economic development director, told the Asbury Park Press this week Magliaro and Rackiewicz first owned The Raspberry Cafe in Ocean Grove Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. with your toes in the sand and the sun on your face More: New Jersey beach badge prices 2025: A town-by-town guide Badges for children 12 and younger are free Badges can be purchased at Cedar and Allen avenues Lifeguards: On duty beginning Memorial Day weekend daily; South Beach will be open from 10 a.m Amenities: Bathrooms and showers are available Info: abc1897.com Cost:  Daily passes cost $7 Mondays through Fridays and can be purchased at beach pass kiosks on the boardwalk Seasonal badges cost $70; $20 for seniors 62 and older with valid ID and teens ages 13 to 17 Badges can be purchased online and between 10 a.m Beach badges are free for children 12 and younger active military personnel and their dependents Beach passes are required on weekends and holidays Buoys and ropes will mark off swimming areas; watch for the safe conditions flag Depending on weather and staffing availability lifeguards may be on duty after Labor Day weekend Accessible parking and curb cuts are available at every block Ramps to the beach and mobile beach mats on sand are at every beach entrance Dogs are allowed on the dog beach between 6 p.m Parking: For visitor parking information, visit cityofasburypark.com Parking in all other metered spaces is paid even if a persons with a disability placard is displayed Info: cityofasburypark.com/beaches Seasonal beach badges cost $100; $55 for ages 12 to 18 and senior citizens with proof of age active military and their dependents with ID Beach badges can be paid for with cash or check only A photo of a driver's license is acceptable if purchasing for someone else Seasonal badges and daily wristbands can be purchased at the booths at Sylvania Amenities: Restrooms are on the boardwalk at Lincoln and Norwood avenues Parking: Free and limited to on-street parking Info: avonbytheseanj.com Parking: Free parking along Bayshore Drive Info: 609-698-0080, barnegat.net Lifeguards: On duty from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, June 14 through Labor Day. Designated areas are marked with flags. Beaches are located between 9th and 30th streets. Lifeguard locations change depending on conditions and other factors; find updates on beach and ocean conditions at safebeachday.com They are delivered and picked up free of charge Parking: Side-street parking is free; no parking on Central Avenue Info: 609-494-9196, barnegatlight.org Full-season badges cost $110 and half-season badges cost $60; check or cash accepted Memorial Day weekend and the first two weekends in June Badges are required from June 17 through Labor Day Mount Street and Strickland Street beaches Restrooms are in the municipal comfort station two blocks away from the beach Parking: Free parking is available on the street and in the municipal lots along East avenue at Osborne Avenue and Harris Street Cost: Physical and digital passes cost $10 daily $40 seasonal on or before May 31 and $50 after June 1 Passes are not required on Wednesdays during the season active military personnel and their families Lifeguards: The lifeguard schedule was not available as of press time Surfing is permitted while lifeguards are on duty and within the surfing designated areas Amenities: Public restrooms and rinse stations are at the Centre Street Beach Patrol building beach entrance Public restrooms are at Veterans Park on Amber Street and at the Nelson Avenue playground Beach wheelchairs are available; call 609-492-9193 between June 24 and Labor Day and 609-492-2525 from Labor Day until June 23 Info: 609-492-9193, beachhaven-nj.gov Beachgoers will be permitted on the sand only. As of press time, access to the water is not allowed this summer due to problems with bacteria Parking: on site; $5 for the year for residents Info: 732-286-6000, beachwoodusa.com Cost: Daily badges cost $12. Seasonal badges cost $80; $32 for seniors 65 and older with ID. There is no charge for children 13 and younger, active duty military members with ID and their dependents, Gold Star families and veterans. Badges can be purchased at belmarbeachbadges.com A restaurant is at Taylor Pavilion on the boardwalk and several restaurants and snack shops can be found on the west side of Ocean Avenue and several areas of the beach have poles for volleyball nets Several sections of the beach are dedicated for boogie boarding There is a surf camp at Third Avenue beach around Silver Lake and on North Boulevard from Ocean Avenue to B Street Free parking is available on the west side of Ocean Avenue and on residential streets west of Ocean Avenue Info: belmarbeachnj.com More: Every day is dog beach day at these Jersey Shore locations, including Asbury Park WHITE SANDS BEACH (20th to 23rd avenues in South Seaside Park) weekly badges cost $50 and seasonal badges cost $60 before June 1 Badges for those 65 and older cost $15 for the season There is no charge for children 11 and younger and veterans with ID and their families at 20th through 23rd avenues; credit cards are not accepted daily from the third weekend in June through Labor Day outdoor shower and accessible beach access are available at 23rd Avenue A limited number of beach wheelchairs are available at no cost Parking: Parking permits are required for 20th to 23rd avenues and are available for residents only through the Berkeley Township Police Department by calling 732-341-1132 Parking permits are enforced from May 15 to Sept Additional parking is available along Route 35 Info: 732-269-4456, twp.berkeley.nj.us Cost: Daily badges cost $6 weekdays and $10 on weekends for New Jersey residents $12 weekdays and $20 weekends for nonresidents Annual state park passes cost $50 for New Jersey residents New Jersey residents 62 and older and those with disabilities may be eligible for a free senior citizen pass or disability pass; call 800-843-6420 daily mid-June through Labor Day at swimming areas 1 and 2 Swimming is only permitted in designated areas when lifeguards are present Amenities: The swimming areas have bathhouse pavilions with changing areas as well as first aid stations and concessions kayaks and stand-up paddleboards can be launched from areas 15 and 21 on the bay side Island Beach is known for its saltwater fishing and hiking trails including New Jersey's largest osprey colony on guided canoe and kayak tours through the Sedge Islands on the park's bayside Info: nj.gov Cost: The cost of daily badges had not been determined as of press time (2024 prices were $13 for daily badges and $45 for weekly badges for those 13 and older) Seasonal badges cost $90 for adults ages 16 to 64 $35 for seniors 65 and older and children 13 to 15 There is no charge for children 12 and younger military veterans and active duty military personal Seasonal passes can be purchased through CommunityPass or in person at Brinley weekends and holidays starting Memorial Day weekend Changing rooms are at Cliff and 3rd avenues Beach chairs are available for people with disabilities Parking: Metered parking is available on the eastern side of Ocean Avenue and the east end of Bradley Boulevard Angled parking on Ocean Avenue is head-in only from Memorial Day weekend to the Sunday after Labor Day weekend Info: bradleybeachnj.gov Cost: $10 for a daily pass and $45 for a seasonal badge There is no charge for children younger than 12 then daily from mid-June through Labor Day food stands and parking are at Brick Beach 1 picnic tables and a gazebo are available at Windward Beach Parking: Daily rate for parking is $10; $1 for seniors 65 and older Parking lots are adjacent to Brick Beach 1 and Brick Beach 3 Info: 732-262-1044, bricknj.gov Cost: Daily badges cost $12 for those 12 and older on weekdays, $15 on weekends. A seasonal pass can be purchased for $200 through the borough's Parks and Recreation department's website. Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend Amenities: The borough allows a limited amount of catamarans and kayaks to be stored on its public beaches Catamarans must be chained to the assigned post for weather conditions when on the beach Parking: On-street parking is free but limited on all borough streets Info: 732-531-1454, dealborough.com weekly badges cost $20 and seasonal badges cost $35 before June 15; $45 afterward Badges are required for those 12 and older on all beaches beginning June 15 daily at the Sunset Park Recreation Booth on West Salem Avenue weekends from Memorial Day to June 15 at the 80th Street and Middlesex beaches plus the Atlantic and Middlesex avenue beaches Some beaches may be affected by a beach replenishment project Wheelchair ramps are at the Mercer Avenue and 80th Street entrances To reserve a beach wheelchair from the borough Parking: Free side-street parking and at Sunset Park Info: 609-361-6000, harveycedars.org More: Here's when your favorite Shore restaurants reopen for summer Amenities: Located on Sandy Hook Bay; food is permitted Info: 732-872-1224, highlandsborough.org Lifeguards: Lifeguards are typically on duty during the summer season There is also a beach pavilion with restrooms and an additional shower There is a small playground next to the pavilion Wheelchair accessibility is available from the bay walks Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids Waterpark are nearby Parking: Parking is metered and payable at kiosks People with disabilities can purchase a badge for $15 with official documentation active-duty military personnel and veterans with identification Badges can be purchased in person at the borough municipal building weekends (plus the Fourth of July) between June 14 and Labor Day Lifeguards are stationed on nine ocean beaches and the bayside beach at Brooklyn Avenue Swimming is permitted between white flags posted on the beachfront Bodyboards and rafts are permitted between blue and white flags and surfing and kayaking are permitted between green flags at Haddonfield Restricted rules are in effect where yellow flags are flying No swimming is allowed where red flags are flying Amenities: The borough provides beach wheelchairs that can be signed out for two-hour blocks; if no one is waiting to use a chair first-served basis at lifeguard headquarters; call 732-793-2566 first-served on side roads leading to the ocean diagonal parking is available in two-hour limits Reserved parking for residents is available in certain areas throughout town; these spots are posted and require a borough-issued permit Accessible spots are available throughout town and near the oceanfront municipal parking stickers are required on motor vehicles in any municipal lot on the bayside; stickers cost $15 Info: lavallette.org Cost: Daily badges cost $10 Mondays through Thursdays, $15 Fridays through Sundays and holidays. Seasonal badges are $150 for adults and children 12 and older, $100 for senior citizens. Badges are available for pickup at the Village Beach Gatehouse staff will escort people in need to a spot on the beach with a beach wheelchair from Euclid Avenue and Ocean Place Parking: Metered parking is on Ocean Place and sections of Edgemont Drive; free parking on other streets Info: 732-531-4740, locharbournj.us seasonal badges cost $50 ($5 for seniors with proof of age free for military veterans with proof of service) Passes are required for those ages 12 to 64; children 11 and younger are admitted free Lifeguards: On duty from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, June 14 through Labor Day, at designated beaches; visit lbtbp.com/guarded-beach-locations Seniors or those with physical limitations can call 609-342-2111 for assistance accessing the beach For weeklong rental of a wheelchair with beach capabilities Amenities: Restrooms are at 68th Street on both the ocean and bay sides of Brant Beach and at the parking lot on the south end of Long Beach Boulevard at McKinley Avenue in Holgate and Harbor South in Loveladies Free parking is also available in the Holgate lot near the restrooms and in the Long Beach Township municipal building recreational lot Info: lbtbp.com Costs: Weekday adult daily passes cost $6 Mondays through Fridays weekend and holiday badges for those ages 14 to 17 cost $3 There is no charge for children 13 and younger and active military members and their immediate family Seasonal passes cost $70 for ages 18 to 61 $30 for students ages 14 to 17 and can be purchased at the beach office by the carousel in Pier Village to 4 p.m.; weekends only from Memorial Day weekend until mid-June Select beaches will be guarded until 7 p.m Accessible ramps are at Morris Avenue North A limited number of surf chairs and water chairs are available; speak with any ticket booth representative or call the beach office at 732-571-5697 restaurants and a carousel are at Pier Village Parking: On-street parking is metered at Pier Village and along Ocean Avenue $3 per hour Fridays through Sundays and holidays All-day metered parking costs $10 for weekdays There is one municipal parking lot at Broadway and 2nd Avenue that costs $10 for daily parking Info: longbranch.org SEVEN PRESIDENTS PARK: Located at the north end of Long Branch the park is run by the Monmouth County Park System The beach is open for guarded swimming weekends only (plus Memorial Day) from May 24 to June 8 Park access passes are available for purchase at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park weekends from mid-May to June 15 then daily for the remainder of the season A seasonal pass is $75 for ages 18 to 64; $30 for ages 65 and older Daily admission costs $10 for those 18 and older There is no charge for daily admission or parking for members of the military and veterans Info: monmouthcountyparks.com Badges cost $12 for those 12 and older (or $50 for a week) and are available at all beach badge sales locations Seasonal badges cost $90 for those 17 to 64 All seasonal badges must be picked up at the Manasquan Beach Department Amenities: Beach wheelchairs are available on a first-come Umbrellas are available for rent at the main beach office Parking: Free on-street parking is available along with paid municipal lots ($15 weekdays $20 weekends and holidays plus surcharges) Info: manasquan-nj.gov There are stationary lifeguards at Downer Avenue and Lyman Street plus another at Albertson Street on Fridays There are multiple mobile lifeguards throughout the beach Amenities: Portable bathrooms at Downer Avenue There are no food concessions as food is not permitted Parking: Free on-street parking; Route 35 has the most availability Info: mantoloking.org Info: 732-615-2260, middletownnj.org BAYSHORE WATERFRONT PARK (Port Monmouth Road) Amenities: The park offers a 495-foot fishing pier Parking: Free parking is available at the park; space is limited Info: 732-787-3033, monmouthcountyparks.com More: When is Memorial Day 2025? What to know about start of summer Cost: Daily pass costs $13 for those older than 12; seasonal badges cost $105 Seasonal badges are free for those younger than 12 and military veterans Lifeguards: On duty weekends only from Memorial Day weekend through June 15 Beach wheelchairs are available at the pavilion or by calling 732-229-5926 Parking at the pavilion and Seaview Avenue overflow lot costs $70 for the season; purchase a decal online or at borough hall Info: monmouthbeach.org Seasonal badges are $10 for seniors 62 and older with a limit of one per person Veterans with a military ID have free access Badges are available at the municipal building Lifeguards: On duty beginning June 15 from 10 a.m the Wildwood Avenue beach and the Anglesea Avenue beach Amenities: Restrooms are at the Wildwood and Anglesea avenue beaches The splash pad near the Wildwood Avenue beach is for children ages 3 to 11; the cost is $5 for a daily pass $20 for season passes purchased before June 15 $25 for season passes purchased after June 15 Parking: The borough operates three municipal parking lots that require a sticker The cost is $5 for the season until June 15 Street parking adjacent to the beach also requires a sticker There is free parking in residential areas Info: oceangatenjgov.com $52 for seniors and youth at the beach office on the boardwalk or by mail at OGCMA Lifeguards: On duty weekends only from May 24 through June 8, then daily from June 14 to Sept. 1. For specific hours of operation, visit oceangrove.org Amenities: Bathrooms are on the boardwalk near the pier (Embury Avenue) Beach wheelchairs are available at entrances with ramps Info: oceangrove.org Cost: Seasonal badges cost $10; $5 for those 62 and older Info: pinebeachborough.us $14 on weekends and holidays for those 12 and older; $4 weekdays and $5 weekends for children 5 to 11 There is no charge for children younger than 5 Seasonal beach badges cost $130 for ages 12 to 64 Half-season badges cost $35 for ages 5 to 11 Daily badges can be purchased at any open beach gate Seasonal badges can be purchased daily at South Arcade Mondays through Fridays at the Jenkinson’s Pavilion office Lifeguards decide each day which areas of the beachfront are safe for swimming Amenities: Full boardwalk with restaurants Bathhouses for changing are at Boardwalk and Broadway and Boardwalk and Parkway; their use is included in the seasonal badge price as are beach umbrellas ($12) and lounge chairs ($15 each or two for $25) Parking: Public and private lots west of Jenkinson's charge a range of rates The lot at Ocean and Arnold avenues provides metered parking and is perhaps the most convenient in terms of accessibility Info: jenkinsons.com Summer deals are here! Save up to 50% on pool vacuums, sandals, pressure washers MAXSON AVENUE BEACH (along the Manasquan River) Cost: Seasonal badges cost $20 for those ages 6 to 59 There is no charge for children 5 and younger and members of the military with identification Amenities: Playground (including accessible facilities) Shade is available on the walkway to view the river Restrooms available when lifeguards are on duty Info: 732-892-5813, ptboro.com RIVER AVENUE BEACH (along the Manasquan River) More: From fairs to fireworks, 5 can't-miss summer events at the Shore Beach parking costs $20 per day from Memorial Day through Labor Day Lifeguards: Oceanside swimming beaches have lifeguards from 10 a.m Amenities: Sandy Hook has restrooms and showers Ride your bike on the 5-mile-long paved pathway which starts at the park entrance and leads to Fort Hancock There are trails for hiking and room for surf fishing You can launch your kayak or canoe and use the park's archery field as long as you bring your bow and arrows The Sandy Hook visitor center is open from 10 a.m Info: 732-872-5916, nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/sandy-hook.htm Cost: Both free and badged beaches are available There is free public access on Ocean Avenue; look for signage Sea Bright Municipal Beach and Anchorage Beach require badges can be purchased from gate attendants at the beach for $8 or $35 for people older than 65 or with disabilities These can be purchased online or at the beach office There is no charge for children younger than 12 or active military personnel and their families seasonal locker rentals and restroom facilities A daily or seasonal beach badge is required to access these facilities metered parking is available near the beaches through Sept Parking can be paid by cash or credit at the kiosks Info: 732-842-0099 or 732-351-4700, seabrightnj.org Seasonal badges cost $115 ($70 for seniors) Badges can be picked up at the beach pavilion between 10 a.m on weekends beginning May 24; daily beginning June 14 Amenities: The beach pavilion at Beacon Boulevard and the boardwalk has restrooms Info: 732-449-9433, ext. 601, seagirt-nj.gov Cost: Day passes for ocean beaches cost $13 weekly badges cost $50 (Saturdays through Fridays) and seasonal badges cost $75 Those 65 and older can purchase a seasonal badge for $15 There is no charge for children 11 and younger or active and retired military personal with identification Passes can be purchased with cash or check at Kearney Ave Amenities: A boardwalk with shops, restaurants, bars, rides, arcades, bathrooms and more. The F Street beach has a mat for accessibility Parking: Metered parking costs $3 per hour in street-end spots Digital payment also accepted via the Park Smarter app Info: 732-793-9100, seaside-heightsnj.org weekly badges cost $40 and seasonal badges cost $65 for beach access through June 14; $70 for access June 15 to Labor Day Seasonal badges for residents 65 and older cost $20 and are sold at the N street bathhouse There is no charge for children 11 and younger or active and retired military and their dependents Amenities: There is a bathhouse with showers at the boardwalk and N Street Boat ramp badges are sold at the bathhouse and 14th Avenue and the bay A beach playground and pier are at 5th Avenue and the bay Wheelchair access to the oceanside beaches is at 7th and 13th avenues The parks at 5th and 14th avenues are also accessible parking is metered and costs $2 per hour from 7 a.m Parking is available along Ocean Avenue from Porter to 14th avenues Parking pay stations that accept bills and credit cards are on Ocean Avenue and at municipal lots 1 Parking can also be paid for through the mPay mobile parking app All paid parking lots close between 2 and 6 a.m Info: Beachcontrol@seasideparknj.org, seasideparknj.org Cost: Daily badges cost $10 and weekly badges cost $25 from June 14 to Labor Day. Seasonal badges cost $40 through May 31, then $50 after June 1. Daily and weekly badges are available only on the My Beach Mobile app Seasonal badges are available at the municipal office There is no charge for veterans or active military members and their families with identification the municipal boat ramp at 10th Street and Shore Avenue There is a playground on 4th Street at the bay There are parks at the 10th Street boat ramp and near the bayside beach between 13th and 16th streets Recreation Area on 6th Street features tennis and pickleball courts bocce ball and horseshoes; the seasonal cost is $50 for residents Weekly badges for the recreation area cost $20 ADA-compliant Mobi-Mats are at 15th and 20th streets Info: shipbottom.org More: Complete 2025 summer concert schedule for Stone Pony, PNC and MetLife Stadium seasonal badges cost $110 for those 12 and older Late-season badges (purchased on or after Aug Lifeguards: Lifeguards are present on weekends between 9 a.m (conditions permitting) Memorial Day weekend through June 15 then daily beginning June 16 through Labor Day Amenities: There are two pavilions with showers and on the south end of town there is a food truck Beachgoers are not allowed to bring food onto the beach Info: 732-449-0800, ext. 637 and 633, springlakeboro.org seasonal badges cost $50 ($40 if purchased before May 31) Badges are required for those ages 12 to 64 when lifeguards and badge checkers are on duty depending on surf conditions and sand bars Amenities: Beach wheelchairs are available between 9 a.m All beach entrances are equipped with mats The North 12th Street beach has an ADA-friendly walkover Beachgoers with a special season badge can call for a ride on a John Deere UTV which will take them over the dunes and back; wait by the sign at either end of the route Restrooms are behind borough hall on Long Beach Boulevard at the 16th Street bay beach and at the Division Avenue boat ramp Weekly badges cost $40 and can be used Saturdays through Fridays Seasonal badges cost $50 through Memorial Day Lifetime badges for seniors cost $15; ID required weekends only from Memorial Day through June 21 Amenities: Beach wheelchairs are available in Ortley Beach Restrooms are at Fielder Avenue and the boardwalk (Block House) Fourth Avenue (Lord House) and the boardwalk Public restrooms are available at Shelter Cove Parking: Free in the municipal lot on Third Avenue in Ortley Beach Snug Harbor Pool: Opens June 21; pool hours are from 11 a.m Seasonal rates are $150 for adult residents ($300 for nonresidents) $75 for children 4 to 12 and seniors 62 and older ($150 for nonresidents) Daily rates are $15 for resident adults on weekdays $20 on weekends and holidays ($25 and $35 for nonresidents) and $12 for resident children and seniors weekdays $15 weekends and holidays ($20 and $25 for nonresidents) Season pass holders can bring guests; cost is $10 for children and seniors Badges can be purchased at the recreation building Season pass holders will receive an ID card that must be shown to pool staff to enter the facility Info: 732-341-1000, ext. 8415, tomsrivertownship.com211/Recreation Asbury Park Press staff writers contributed to this report 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 Asbury Park's first hitmaker in the rock 'n' roll era at AdventHealth Celebration hospital in Kissimmee said his assistant Margaret Bartsch to the Asbury Park Press Welch's soulful pop hits included “Since I Fell for You,” “Ebb Tide,” “You Don’t Know Me,” “A Taste of Honey” and more in the early ’60s and he served as inspiration for generations of city musician who came after him Asbury Park” said Bruce Springsteen in 2011 “Lenny was always somebody to look up to,” said city singer Nicky Addeo to the Asbury Park Press “Lenny had a beautiful voice — it was gorgeous.” Welch was born in New York City and moved to 2113 W Singer Joe Major was a neighbor and asked Welch to join his vocal group and I never had any intentions of becoming a singer,” said Welch previously to the Asbury Park Press “Joe Major stopped me on Springwood Avenue and said ‘I want you to be in my group,’ and I used to hide from him all the time because I wasn’t interested which included Raymond Morris and Willie Penna The group did not record any singles or albums but they were big enough to open a show in the 1950s for Little Richard at the city's Savoy Theatre Welch left Asbury Park for New York City and stardom who starred as Joe Louis in the 1953 film “The Joe Louis Story,” took him under his wing A run at Decca Records was not successful beyond changing his name from Leon Welch to Lenny Welch A meeting with producer Archie Bleyer prompted Welch to switch to Cadence Records — and there “Since I Fell for You” became one of biggest records in the country in 1963 Welch's silken tenor was similarly framed by the hit singles “Ebb Tide” and “You Don’t Know Me.” Welch's version of “A Taste of Honey,” released in 1962 on Cadence The song’s structure and guitar riff is similar to the Beatles’ 1963 version which featured Paul McCartney on lead vocals and is widely considered to have been based on Welch's version It was released on the Beatles debut album the Beatles and the British Invasion put the squeeze on American artists like Welch who retired from music by the 1980s and drove a cab in New York City to make ends meet playing a recurring role in TV’s “General Hospital” in the early ’90s A new appreciation arose for classic hitmakers like Welch Welch was also a big hit on music-themed sea cruises the musical legacy of the city's West Side which featured generations of African-American talent A 2011 Soul of Asbury Park concert at the Paramount Theatre featured Welch's last performance in the city divinely angelic,” said Tee Coleman-Lomack was on stage that night with the city's Broadways humble and compassionate man with a heart of gold I’ll always treasure the memory of his captivating smile and soulful voice He and my father shared a friendship that spanned over 60 years.” The COVID lockdown effectively ended Welch's concert career but he was hopeful of returning to Asbury Park “I do want to get back to Asbury Park,” said Welch to the Asbury Park Press in 2021 go up Springwood Avenue because that’s where I grew up I want to come back to Asbury Park and just walk up the street visit relatives' gravesites and get on a plane and come on back Welch did return in 2023 for the funeral of Coleman “Lenny is the most famous native son from Asbury Park,” said Asbury Park journalist and historian Don Stine (Welch) was a real gentleman and a very talented entertainer who had the goods a member of the Broadways and a childhood friend of Welch Survivors include wife Frances Welch and cousins Subscribe to app.com for the latest on the New Jersey music scene The city of Asbury Park is smaller than 2 square miles but its streets are lined with restaurants serving everything from pasta which is presented by the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce Attendees start their tour by registering at Kennedy Park Wristbands and maps of participating restaurants will be distributed then participants can head to the eateries of their choosing Complimentary shuttles will run throughout the tour Organizers ask that diners only visit each stop once To purchase tickets or for more information, visit asburyparkchamber.com.                                                                a group of Asbury Park neighbors wanted to document what life used to be like along Springwood Avenue in the decades before the 1970 unrest that devastated the area reams of newspaper clippings and hours of audio interviews of long-time residents with the goal of creating an archive and walking tour of the fabled strip in the famous Jersey Shore town Then, through a city official, the group learned about the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority’s (NJTPA) Vibrant Places Program This program offers technical support from Rutgers transportation and planning experts to communities looking to revitalize their downtowns or commerce hubs The program is funded by the NJTPA at no cost to the selected towns “It was a godsend,” said Diane Shelton, the outreach specialist at the community organization Interfaith Neighbors who led the project “You don’t know how many years it was just me trying to do the research going back and forth between all these places trying to find out those businesses that once lined Springwood Avenue because the addresses and owners had changed over time.” A team of staff and graduate students at the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center in the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy worked on the project for about nine months sifting through historical accounts and maps to create an interactive searchable website that offers a virtual walking tour through Springwood Avenue “What we try to do is help communities create places where people want to live have arts and culture – everything in a compact downtown,” said Miriam Salerno managing director of the Public Outreach and Engagement Team at Voorhees Transportation Center “Springwood Avenue was a perfect representation of what a vibrant place is What we’re striving to do in other communities now is to recreate what they had on Springwood Avenue.” The Springwood Avenue Heritage Walk maps the eight blocks of the thoroughfare that runs through Asbury Park and Neptune each telling a different story: businesses; life and style; music and arts scene; civil rights and resilience; worship and church life; and community stories the Vibrant Places team spends about four to six months on a project offering municipalities a blueprint for realizing their vision they developed a marketing plan for a commercial district in Belleville created a visitor’s guide for Dover and showed Perth Amboy officials how to bring the public to an under-utilized park.  They also used the historical collection on Asbury Park available at Rutgers University Libraries After spending so much time on the project they became emotionally invested in the history of Springwood Avenue leaving with a changed perspective personally and professionally and we’d drive to Asbury Park every summer,” said planner and project manager Jesika Tixi and I didn’t know this part of its history This isn’t just about Asbury Park -- there are many blocks and neighborhoods across the country that people walk by without knowing their stories.”    But the stories of Springwood Avenue were fading even for Asbury Park residents “Certain things about the corridor I do remember,” she said “I remember going to the butcher shops with my grandmother I do remember parades up and down Springwood Avenue even though a lot of the stories I wasn’t familiar with.” Shelton said the idea for the heritage walk was formed in 2019 as the 50th anniversary of the July 4-6 But the community didn’t want to commemorate the aftermath of the riots they decided to showcase Springwood Avenue in the decades before 1970 they wanted some history to remain on the avenue,” Shelton recalled but it was a major shopping district for the West Side They didn’t have to go outside their community to shop.” The Rutgers team delivered on those wishes. The Thriving Businesses page showcases local treasures like Fisch’s Department Store where residents shopped for school clothes or Sunny Hunny Shoppe for a bite to eat or Bunce and Carter Pharmacy for medication.   The page includes photos of the business newspaper ads and quotes from old-timers like Rev saying “There were some folks that lived their whole lives and never crossed the railroad tracks (to the East Side) because everything they needed was over here (on the West Side).” That storyboard is repeated for five other pages Research project coordinator and geographer Cate Heady mapped the project starting on paper to draw by hand to create intricate color-coordinated map “There was the process of going through these interviews to get the stories and there was the process of mapping everything out so those stories could be put into place,” Heady said Shelton said the community organization is already using the virtual walk to share its vision for an actual walking tour They are planning a sponsorship drive and other events to raise funds for signs historical markers and ultimately a physical walking tour the tour has been used to support grant applications ‘Asbury Park is known for its rock and roll scene--Bruce Springsteen and the boardwalk but not the art and legacy of the West Side,’” Tixi recalled “‘That’s what people typically think of when thinking about Asbury Park Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any accessibility issues with Rutgers websites to accessibility@rutgers.edu or complete the Report Accessibility Barrier / Provide Feedback form Copyright ©2025, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. All rights reserved. Contact webmaster ASBURY PARK -- The Center in Asbury Park wants people to "Come Early, Stand Proud, and Walk Strong" on May 4 for the New Jersey AIDS Walk 2025 with the goal to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030 The event starts at 11 a.m. at the Center in Asbury Park which is located at the corner of Memorial Drive and Third Avenue, with the walk scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. The walk will be up to the boardwalk and back, a distance of a little over a mile. The Center has a goal of $40,000 and donations are accepted on the NJ AIDS Walk website The Center in Asbury Park is a volunteer-based not-for-profit service organization with a mission to connect at-risk community members to comprehensive health care the Center joined a consortium of five HIV/AIDS service organizations in the state to create the nonprofit New Jersey AIDS Walk The other organizations include South Jersey AIDS Alliance North Jersey Community Research Initiative and Buddies of New Jersey The Center in action: World AIDS Day in Asbury Park remembered with candlelight walk The New Jersey AIDS Walk is held annually on the first Sunday in May in five locations. According the the New Jersey AIDS Walk website, the nonprofit is committed to spending at least 75% of its revenue directly on AIDS programs and facility expenses keeping administrative and marketing expenses to a minimum "Our sole purpose is to raise money to fill in the gaps in the services we provide to our counties and the people that we serve that is not given to us by county or state or federal funds," said Michael Roland executive director of the Center in Asbury Park While there have been significant advancements in HIV/AIDS treatment the stigma surrounding the disease persists stigma is probably the number one issue for people living with HIV preventing them from getting tested," Roland said the statewide objective is to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030 The way we do that is to know people's status through testing and prevention." The walk's supporters seek to end the classification HIV/AIDS as an epidemic by 2030. According to a 2023 report from the United Nations group UNAIDS that can be done by investing in HIV prevention and treatment The Center receives grants to pay for many of the services offered and works with the Visiting Nurse Association in Asbury Park The Center has a social worker on premises who assists clients with their concerns and mental health issues The Center in Asbury Park does not provide medical services they will be recommended to one of the HIV clinics in Monmouth County who provide those services Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch or Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank Only clients are able to get all the free services but anyone off the street can get a free sandwich or take a shower if needed The aim of the HIV/AIDS medications is to get the patient to a point where the virus is undetectable So therefor there is no further transmission of the HIV virus," Roland said At-risk community members can include sex workers medical clinics will give them a pre-exposure prophylaxis "If you are taking PrEP and you are having at-risk behavior that is going to prevent you from getting HIV that is going to reduce the number of new HIV positive (diagnoses) and it is going to become a manageable disease," Roland said He added "we are not there yet because there are new pockets of HIV popping up among the immigrant population." who serves the board for the New Jersey AIDS Walk and volunteers at the center echoed Roland's sentiment that PrEP is for anyone who is at risk and taking that away would be regressive "Because PrEP right now for a lot of people is free and a lot of people that have it can't afford it they couldn't purchase it so they wouldn't be able to," Buonansonti said Under the first Trump administration, the federal government rolled back some LGBTQ+ protections in health care we could go back to where we were because people would lose access to medications and we wouldn't know who is positive or negative along with other organizations went to Washington a couple of weeks ago to speak with representatives about how important it is to keep the HIV funding "Otherwise people will actually die," he said Charles Daye is the metro reporter for Asbury Park and Neptune @CharlesDayeAPP Contact him: CDaye@gannettnj.com The Best New Restaurants in Queens, According to Eater Editors The Best New Restaurants in Brooklyn, According to Eater Editors The Best New Restaurants in Manhattan in May, According to Eater Editors The Jersey Shore town is easy to get to by train with a burgeoning art the restaurant and bar scene has a ton to offer How this map has changed from last year: We’ve added the new Judy and Harry’s as well as AP Rooftop we’ve taken off a few spots (many of which are still great) Grab a seat on the deck that overlooks Deal Lake or a table in a dining room with glampy cabin vibes or roasted eggplant (there are classics available with a Mocking Bar of zero-proof or botanical beverages Top Chef’s David Viana and Neilly Robinson opened Judy’s, the restaurant, and Harry’s, the bar, in a tribute to Robinson’s parents. The restaurant is Italian American cooking through a Jewish lens Consider the hamachi with fried capers or the calamari frito to start Chicken and broccoli gnudi switches things up with celery pesto and chili crunch Top Destination Restaurants Near Philly That Are Worth the Drive With pics of the Boss along the wall and regulars at the counter offers an array of sandwiches and breakfast items for its fiercely loyal clientele If you’re looking for a pork roll (no one says Taylor ham down the Shore) The Jersey Shore’s 26 Essential Restaurants Where to Eat and Drink in Jersey Shore’s Asbury Park Ada’s serves a mix of Ethiopian and Dominican dishes with a wide selection of meat and vegetarian options including mofongo as well as samplers served on homemade injera The owner’s presence lends warmth to the experience and a chophouse menu at this two-story restaurant on the revitalizing Main Street Don’t miss the second-floor back bar for a solid list of cocktails and a no-nonsense beer and wine list a bit removed from the mayhem of Cookman Avenue on a weekend There’s a New Orleans-style band early in the week in the front bar A post shared by R Bar (@rbar_asburypark) These Are the Very Best Bars in New Orleans The Best Bars for Day Drinking in New Orleans This new venue on the boardwalk requires an elevator to get there It opens to a dining area with a bowling-alley-long bar Go here for a cocktail and a snack; a steak dinner A red sauce spot on the edge of town, Jimmy’s is the kind of place that was founded in the ’80s and hasn’t changed since. Famous visitors have included Paul McCartney Try to grab a seat at the bar and grab yourself some antipasti and pizzas like the Spring Betty with goat cheese The bar is endless and the room has little to mute noise so if the party-level volume is not your scene there’s the outside area with plenty of picnic tables with room to spread out Here’s a second-level boardwalk venue with a view of the ocean on one side and the Stone Pony Summer Stage on the other It’s more of a bar with high-octane cocktails as well as inventive mocktails there’s also a handsome indoor bar with a fireplace A post shared by Watermark (@watermark_asbury_park) This brasserie is a crowd pleaser with an inviting dining room and a retro menu of tartare A post shared by Pascal & Sabine (@pascalandsabine) Look for towering sandwiches and elegant sweet plates like a berry skillet cake in Cardinal’s green and sunny daytime spot Start or end a meal with a pillowy xuixo: a fried pastry filled with cream and coated in sugar which originates from the Catalonia region of Spain Their breakfast burrito could cure a hangover Mid-century modern defines the room at this stylish bar Go here for an international menu of small plates like salatim or falafel and mains such as kofte and celery poblano shrub — and it points to the restaurant’s duality as a cocktail bar A post shared by REYLA (@heyreyla) A little slip of a place and a sibling to Homesick restaurant next door Lovesick offers an interesting wine selection and good service with bartenders excited to talk about pours It’s also a fine place for a bowl of ramen A post shared by Lovesick (@dear_lovesick) and fermented in-house: Sourdough loaves and pizza are essential such as the Beekeeper’s Lament pizza topped with soppressata and honey hearty and layered in both texture and flavor The restaurant that kicked off a local dining revival it started in nearby Ocean Grove and now resides in this vast location across from Wesley Lake you can sit down to a white-tablecloth dinner in the upstairs dining room with a menu with items like baked brie A post shared by Moonstruck (@moonstrucknj) Locals like Taka for the vibe and the inventive sushi rolls like the Jun-San and sake casks line the back wall of the main dining room The atmosphere at Grand Tavern is relaxed and rustic with wood-beam ceilings and fixtures evoking English hunting culture The menu is small and eclectic with dishes like fried brie including sticky toffee pudding in a pool of caramel topped with fresh whipped cream and flaky salt 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite previous rumors and speculation regarding a potential sale situated at 517 Lake Avenue in Asbury Park Vice President of Bielat Santore & Company the broker who negotiated and managed the entire transaction loyal customers and long-time diners can rest assured that the restaurant will maintain its SAME CHARM The new owners are dedicated to upholding Moonstruck's esteemed reputation as one of the premier dining establishments along the New Jersey Shore Originally opened in Ocean Grove in 1995 as the Raspberry Café it relocated to its current location in 2002 Moonstruck is a multi-story Victorian-style building adorned with numerous windows and wraparound porches offering stunning views of both the lake and the ocean The first floor features a bar and lounge area where guests can savor cocktails and appetizers The second floor houses the main dining room is primarily reserved for à la carte dining but can also be booked for private parties and business meetings Moonstruck has been acquired by real estate investors who have achieved success in the restaurant industry Alongside a skilled restaurant management team the new proprietors of Moonstruck also own and operate both the Beacon 70 Restaurant and the Marina at Beacon 70 in Brick They have decided to retain all staff at Moonstruck the original owners will remain on site for a period to oversee operations and ensure a seamless business transition The new owners aim to enhance the business by extending operating hours opening on days and at times when the Moonstruck restaurant is typically closed and the "Moon-Struck Done," but just for today it will continue its historic legacy as one of the finest dining and drinking establishments in the area Be sure to visit Moonstruck for a romantic dinner keeping an eye out for that full moon in the sky One can never dismiss the possibility of being Moonstruck Media Contact: Courtney Ciandella [email protected] Few restaurants manage to endure over the years they often start to falter as trends evolve Food & Beverages Beverages Travel Restaurants Do not sell or share my personal information: ASBURY PARK — “Snap out of it!” That’s an iconic line that Loretta Castorini says in the 1987 romantic drama "Moonstruck.” But it might take some time before Luke Magliaro and Howard Raczkiewicz “snap out of it.” The owners of Moonstruck Restaurant in Asbury Park have made the tough and emotional decision to sell this legendary spot after 36-plus years in business together we are formally announcing that at the end of April (fingers crossed) we are selling our beloved Moonstruck Restaurant.” Their adventure started more than three decades ago beginning with The Raspberry Café in Ocean Grove a decision that was very difficult to make They made it a point to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to everyone who helped make Moonstruck an extraordinary and special place “We are so grateful to our wonderful employees many of whom have been with us for decades They are the backbone of our operation and the energy that has kept us going we couldn’t have achieved the positive results we’ve enjoyed We’re beyond thankful to all of them and exemplary work ethic,” Magliaro and Raczkiewicz wrote They also expressed their deep appreciation to all their valued customers repeated guests who they have known for years and with whom they have developed treasured friendships It’s been a joy to watch their families grow through generations A special thanks also went out to all their purveyors Moonstruck was not just a business to these men It became family as they celebrated milestones and special occasions with families we find solace and hope in the knowledge that Moonstruck is once again in a waxing phase We are passing the torch to new owners who plan to continue and expand the operation while ensuring its legacy lives on,” the men wrote The pair plan to stay on for a few weeks after the sale to help the new owners with the transition and hope to share insights as to what makes Moonstruck tick Once the announcement of the sale was posted many of them expressing their happiness for Luke and Howard’s deserved retirement but also their sadness for Moonstruck’s unknown future “Congratulations on your retirement We are happy for you but our hearts are sad you created something very special and you should be very proud.” “So happy for your much deserved retirement Luke & Howard Very glad you are passing Moonstruck on to capable hands as you have brought to us many at your restaurants.” Cheers to your retirement and the many years you’ve worked so hard to provide an amazing restaurant establishment for OG and AP to enjoy.” “Sad for us but very happy for the two of you Thank you for giving us the perfect date night.....EVERY time.....over the past 20 years...we can only cross our fingers that the new owners maintain the quality “What a beautiful heartfelt message Thank you for always believing in me and my ability and making me feel like a special part of your family at Moonstruck This makes me smile and cry all at the same time They won the lottery with the crew they’re getting Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom A well-loved Asbury Park restaurant has been sold as the owners announce their retirement after more than three decades in business.\nRead More Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom WARETOWN - Two teenagers charged with setting a wildfire that consumed more than 15,000 acres across Ocean County lied to police falsely telling them that Mexicans started the blaze an assistant prosecutor revealed in court Friday The second teenage boy was arrested Thursday night in connection with the Jones Road wildfire when the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower located a column of smoke coming from the area of Jones Road and Bryant Road in Waretown The 17-year-old was charged with aggravated arson and hindering apprehension arrested April 23 and charged with aggravated arson and arson has now also been charged with hindering apprehension a judge revealed in court Friday as Kling faced a detention hearing before her Both defendants told police investigating the fire that Mexicans were in the woods when the fire started told Superior Court Judge Pamela Snyder at the detention hearing An examination of phones belonging to both parties revealed a chat between the two "appearing to refute the claim that Mexicans started the fire,'' Lenzi said Interviews with two others who were in the woods the night of April 21 told police that only the four of them were present when Kling placed two wooden pallets in a pit with gasoline and a gas-soaked item and lit it on fire told police that as he rode off into the woods on his dirt bike he saw Kling throw six more pallets onto the fire went on to have an accident on the dirt bike crashing into a tree in the woods that night Police on the scene of the dirt-bike accident encountered Kling who drove up in a pickup truck with another individual inside in his haste to leave the bonfire and meet his friend disposed of the remaining pallets on the fire The others who were at the fire told police Kling had picked up between 10 and 20 pallets outside Sonny's Recycling in Waretown before starting the bonfire The continuing investigation into the fire determined the juvenile defendant helped set the wooden pallets on fire and also left the area without the fire being fully extinguished Billhimer said in announcing the minor's arrest Friday It was also determined that the juvenile gave misinformation to law enforcement about how the fire started told them the fire was still burning when he left The investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad and New Jersey State Fire Marshal’s Office plotted the origin of the fire via GPS and also determined the cause of the fire to be incendiary by an improperly extinguished bonfire Lenzi said information from the location-sharing service of J.M's cell phone placed Kling about 82 feet away from the point of origin of the fire As of Thursday, the fire had burned approximately 15,300 acres in Waretown and Lacey Township and destroyed a commercial building. It is 80% contained. in asking Snyder to keep Kling in jail without bail to await trial In addition to burning thousands of acres of land the wildfire forced the evacuations of thousands of people and destroyed a business "He gambled with the lives and well being of the people of the community when he lit that fire,'' Lenzi said argued that Kling should be released from jail he works as an apprentice at a business owned by his father and is six weeks away from completing a program at a vocational school Compitello argued the state has no evidence that Kling intended to burn down a forest as alleged in the aggravated arson charge against him Snyder said Kling's detention hearing will continue Monday She requested paperwork from the defense attorney that would allow her to consider releasing Kling on heightened monitoring conditions such as home confinement or electronic monitoring The juvenile defendant is lodged at the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center When will it end? NJ wildfire continues to burn as conditions remain dry put out an alert Friday regarding a scam targeting residents of Waretown and Lacey affected by the Jones Road Wildfire The service said scammers have been going door to door claiming they can remove smoke odors from homes in the vicinity of the wildfire They are charging up to $30,000 for this alleged service falsely stating that costs will be reimbursed through insurance due to a FEMA disaster declaration and a New Jersey State of Emergency There are also reports that they are pressuring residents to sign loan agreements "Please be advised: FEMA has not issued a disaster declaration for the Jones Road Wildfire," the fire service said "Residents are urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement if solicited." 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 A Toms River police officer was charged Monday with home invasion burglary after a “domestic disturbance” at a home in Berkeley The incident occurred Friday night when Officer Rebecca Sayegh smashed the front glass door of a home on Evernhan Avenue in the Bayville section then assaulted and threatened two victims inside She was also found to have damaged the hood of a vehicle belonging to one of the victims which had been parked in the driveway of the home Officers from the Berkeley Township Police Department responded to the scene about 11:20 p.m Sayegh was taken into custody at the scene after she resisted efforts “to peacefully place her under arrest,” Billhimer said Sayegh was originally served with the charges via a summons pending an upcoming first appearance in state Superior Court in Toms River due “to the serious nature of the charges,” Billhimer’s office “recharged” Sayegh with a warrant on Monday She was taken into custody at her Toms River home by Berkeley police officers and taken to the Ocean County Jail where she remained Monday pending a detention hearing we do not have a comment in the matter and refer all inquiries to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office,” said Toms River Police Lt Sayegh had been in the news about six months ago after she filed a lawsuit against Toms River Township former Deputy Chief Patrick Dellane and Sgt claiming a “Boys Club” culture in the department led to her being sexually harassed passed over for promotions and written up for supposed offenses that were ignored when committed by male officers Court hearing: Prosecutor seeks to keep Toms River cop behind bars in home-invasion case Sayegh claimed in the lawsuit that the toxic work environment allowed O’Keefe “to shamelessly” pursue a sexual relationship with her culminating in an incident at a Toms River Police Foundation event at Bey Lea Golf Course where O’Keefe followed Sayegh into the women’s restroom and asked her to perform a sex act and the lawsuit states that the incident happened at an event for the Toms River Police Foundation sharing facilities with the city and privatizing custodial and security staff are all ideas being discussed as the Board of Education deals with an expected multimillion-dollar budget deficit The school district is facing a deficit that has been described as "fluid" in recent board meetings the shortfall was expected to be around $7.58 million and the board floated the idea of privatizing custodial and security services as a way to save money going forward the board members as well as the state fiscal monitor were referencing an $11 million deficit in the budget as they discussed the possible sale of the closed Barack Obama Elementary School and/or the Thurgood Marshall Elementary School A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for April 24 The first week in May is the latest the district can hold a public hearing for the budget Asbury Park news: Paramount Theatre exterior will get repaired, but when will Asbury Park landmark reopen? 'It is absolutely disgusting'John Napolitani Sr. the teachers' union president who serves as an elementary in-school suspension teacher and is also the mayor of nearby Ocean Township told the Board of Education "you can't constantly blame the staff" during public comments at the March 26 meeting "There are certain members of this Board of Education that have been up here for years and you knew this was coming you needed to pass that tax increase over a period of time it is time to pay the piper," Napolitani said the state's fiscal monitor told the board members that the only way they could balance the budget that night was by selling two buildings and cutting 18 teachers "I don't know where you are going to cut teachers," Napolitani said considering you don't have enough programs in the high school and your staff will attest to that." 'One by one they turned their backs': Survivor stories take Asbury teens to Nazi Germany He added "everybody knows" the board is considering outsourcing the custodial staff They need to know why they are being considered for privatization," Napolitani said and I think it is short sighted to even consider You know who I am and what I do in the town next door (in Ocean Township) The last thing I would ever want to do is privatize a unit or get rid of my workers that work for me," Napolitani said the state fiscal monitor assigned to Asbury Park said the budget he presented at the March meeting "does not include laying off teachers does not include any sale of buildings once it finalized." Asbury Park news: Condos, townhouses and stores could come to this lot near the boardwalk He added that privatizing the custodial or security staff "won't get you there" in regard to the shortfall in the budget The Asbury Park school district has been losing state funding since 2016, and is facing an estimated cumulative loss of $36,429,860 in state funding by 2025 after nearly decade of S2 cuts the formula that calculates how much state aid each public school district gets Districts that have seen declining enrollment The district lost $4.1 million in state aid last year and attempted to make up for it in part with $1.8 million in administrative cuts Shafter said the growth in this year's deficit from $7.5 million to $11 million was due to changes and corrections made to the budget Shafter said "the revenue changed" and he included an $11.68 million "holding number" so "the county can work on the budget." "The county is suggesting that we increase taxes," Shafter said "The school district does have property that (it) could possibly sell totaling that amount of money." Asbury Park news: City rejects apartment plan, OKs demolishing Holy Spirit Church for six homes Board member Wendi Glassman asked Shafter what specific parcels he used to come up with that figure and was told the number is an estimate "You could sell the Marshall school for $12.5 million but the county said put a placeholder in there," Shafter said The district owns eight properties within the city In January the board authorized the sale of the Dorothy L McNish Parent Center on Prospect Avenue and the maintenance building on Second Avenue The now-closed McNish Center promoted awareness of the services provided by the district and served as a resource for education in the community The other properties owned by the district include the Information Technology Center (ITC building) "You've got school districts being forced to sell properties and that is going to come down our way eventually The state is going to say (we) need to sell properties," Gerbino said "We are also looking to consolidate the operations and looking into a shared facility agreement with the city a pole barn could be constructed at the Barack Obama School property that will house the maintenance equipment and supplies "The district needs to be strategic on how we move forward to make sure we maximize the assets we have The assets we have are our school buildings and our property," Gerbino said School district lawsuit: Ex-Asbury Park schools chief lawsuit says he was suspended for exposing unearned diplomas The two most valuable assets on the table for the district are the Barack Obama and Thurgood Marshall schools but the Barack Obama school hasn't been open since 2019 Thurgood Marshall's utility expenses have increased 293% from $158,847 to $624,415 you can see the significant differences between the two buildings," Gerbino said Thurgood Marshall needs $2.5 million in repairs and renovations while the Barack Obama school would need $1.3 million to get the building up and running The district projects it could receive about $4.5 million for the sale of the Barack Obama School property "If you look at Thurgood Marshall we could probably get anywhere from $16 (million) to $20 million for the sale of that building That would more than cover what we have to make up in our budget," Gerbino said "I am not really looking to sell our properties because once you sell it you lose it." He cited a 2018 state law that schools can utilize public/private partnerships The law allows the school district to enter in an agreement with a private organization to develop a property owned by the district would be a consistent revenue source for the district "We can look to monetize the property … and that allows us long-term guaranteed revenue opportunities and projected revenue would be two or three years before we start seeing revenue That is a long-term solution," Gerbino said Charles Daye is the metro reporter for Asbury Park and Neptune, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. @CharlesDayeAPP Contact him: CDaye@gannettnj.com ASBURY PARK -- Four former supervisors at the Asbury Park School District are suing the school board and their former employer alleging they were subjected to a hostile work environment and laid off after exposing a "pervasive scheme" to inflate student grades Asbury Park schools' former Director of Human Resources LaShawn Gibson; former Director of Special Services M Bonnie Cagney-Lau; former Confidential Student Data Base Manager Paul Savoia; and former Asbury Park High School Principal Bridget O’Neill filed lawsuits in state Superior Court in Monmouth County The group alleges their contracts were not renewed after they exposed a system where student records were falsified attendance rates forged and high school diplomas given to teenagers who did not meet requirements "This pervasive scheme falsely inflated graduation rates and district-wide attendance rates to make it appear to the Office of the New Jersey Commissioner of Education and the public at large that the APBOE (Asbury Park Board of Education) and its school district were educating and graduating students far better than they actually were," Stephan T Not the only suit: Teachers' union president sues Asbury Park schools, former leader, alleging defamation You can read the four lawsuits at the bottom of this story The lawsuit alleges high school faculty allowed chronically absent students to buy back course credits through an online program that was not approved by the school board student transcripts and falsified attendance records "The Buyback Program was being misused to socially promote chronically absent students by permitting them to make up for insufficient academic course credit hours by engaging in unrelated non-academic extracurricular activities or even working at a local water park," Mashel wrote in the lawsuits Superintendent suspended: Asbury Park teachers happy superintendent is gone, but taxpayers still owe him over $400K The program was also used to "make certain students eligible for athletics who otherwise would not have been and to make the overall performance of the Asbury Park School District appear better than it actually was despite the Asbury Park School District being ranked last in the State of New Jersey," he said Grade change documents were filed by using a stamp with the signature of O'Neill O'Neill also discovered that one high school student was suspended out of school for 62 days but was not provided with home instruction which violated the school district's policy O'Neill also alleged that students on long-term suspensions were marked as receiving home instruction when no educational services were provided O'Neill found students who missed between 100 and 180 days of school — 180 days is the length of a school year — were nonetheless promoted to the next grade level Asbury Park news: Pop singer Fletcher, community give driver a lift after his car was trashed Some chronically absent students were also unenrolled from the district were being removed from the school district without her notification The district also did not consistently hold hearings over discipline incidents involving students with special needs and their individualized education plans were not being updated to reflect changes in their facility placements or educational services Cagney-Lau and Savoia brought the incidents to the attention of then-Superintendent RaShawn Adams and other supervisors they "endured harassment and a hostile work environment" from other personnel and board members each of the four were told their contracts would not be renewed for the 2024-25 school year Others lost jobs too: Asbury Park schools cut 26 jobs to make up for state aid shortfall "The unlawful and unethical joint and/or individual acts and omissions committed … (were) fostered and perpetuated by a 'go along to get along' culture within APBOE and its school district where board members administrators and faculty were expected to 'sweep under the rug' and not to document or report unlawful or unethical behavior of fellow APBOE employees such as those committed by APBOE board members An attorney for the school district could not immediately be reached for comment Asbury Park's student test scores in 2021-2022 ranked the school district dead last in the state 436th out of 436 in language arts and 425th out of 425 in mathematics Asbury Park housing: Plan for 300 affordable apartments has a problem; the city never agreed to it ASBURY PARK — A shooting has taken place at the Asbury Park Gardens’ apartment complex on Monmouth Avenue the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed Tuesday night No details were released and authorities did not comment about the victim The Major Crimes Bureau of the Prosecutor’s Office and the Asbury Park Police Department were investigating “More information will be released as it becomes available,” Spivey said This is a developing story. Stay with app.com for updates Contact Asbury Park Press reporter Erik Larsen at elarsen@gannettnj.com.