Many New Jersey residents are dealing with significant tax increases this year as school boards continue to approve or reject their 2025-2026 budgets With several school districts facing insufficient funding and the state saying local districts should shoulder more of the funding burden local municipalities look to solve this problem by raising property taxes Whereas some welcomed higher taxes in favor of improved schools others took different approaches to reshape their districts completely Thirty-seven schools across Monmouth and Ocean County were eligible to exceed the state-mandated 2 percent cap on local tax levy increases the Tax Levy Incentive Aid Program was introduced Here are the ways some of these districts are taking action:  Below is a sample of what some school districts faced and some of their decisions as budget season winds down and tax bills are set for school costs Little Egg Harbor faces huge tax hikeThe Little Egg Harbor Board of Education approved a nearly 33 percent tax increase to pay for its three elementary schools To prevent staff cuts and increased class sizes of 40 to 50 students per classroom residents are faced with an additional tax of $416 per year or about $35 a month on a home assessed at the township average of $208,000 Related Story: Little Egg Harbor school board chooses between 50-student class sizes, large tax hike The heated topic in recent meetings of raising taxes or closing schools came to head with Middletown School Board voting in favor of a 10.1 percent tax hike This decision closed a $10 million dollar gap in the district’s budget overcrowding in classrooms and cutting 120 jobs an additional 5.2 percent on top of the 4.8 already in the budget Related Story: Middletown school board approves 10% tax hike to avoid school closures The Toms River Regional Board of Education unanimously rejected the 2025-2026 budget that would put in place a 12.9 percent tax increase The rejected $293 million dollar budget included $271 million in general fund spending which funds the district’s educational activities This is the second year in a row the budget has been rejected a property owner in Toms River would have faced a 12% increase in school taxes A homeowner with a house assessed at the township's average of $448,400 would pay $4,617 in school taxes The Toms River school tax rate would rise 11 cents per $100 of assessed value to $1.47 per $100 of assessed property value The Lakewood School District has a history of requesting massive loans Despite Lakewood’s schools board’s objection on a $100 million dollar loan to the Department of Education and a proposed $303.8 million budget for the 2025-2026 school year State Monitor Louise approved and overrode this decision The impending budget is actually less than last years This will increase the school tax by about $88 or 2.4 percent a year for an average township household Related Story: Lakewood Schools request another massive state loan even as school board objects The Lacey Township Board of Education struck a compromise for the coming school year that will restructure the district's elementary schools but preserve sports and cocurricular activities The 7.57% tax levy increase will cost about $51 extra per month on a home assessed at the municipal average of $288,906 A home valued at $400,000 will see school taxes rise by $68 a month Related Story: Lacey voters reject all three questions in $92 million referendum for school projects Asbury Park grapples with multimillion dollar budget gap  Due to dwindling state funding and budget adjustments the Asbury Park school district saw a growing deficit in their budget jumping from a $7.58 million gap to $11 million The school board has discussed selling district properties cutting staff and privatizing security and custodial staff to tackle this deficit The sale of two schools has been a noteworthy suggestion in closing this budget gap The Asbury Park board of education will meet next week to further discuss the budget Related Story: Asbury Park might sell school, cut staff to make up school district shortfall About 40 members of the Holmdel school district's union protested a move to possibly outsource various services by the board of education as the district faces another school tax hike The school board had asked for proposals for office service personnel building service personnel and paraprofessional services president of the Holmdel Township Education Association About 110 employees could be affected if the board of education decides to bring in third-party contractors The board's move came as the school district is facing rising costs with lower state aid will increase taxes by an average of $612.94 Related Story: 'Not sustainable': Holmdel School Board looks for cuts after $600 average tax increase Congresswoman says campaign has taken steps to ensure TikTok account is secure To a Saturday evening crowd of about 130 people in Monmouth County Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair) presented her vision for New Jersey this year telling voters the gubernatorial contest is more than an election but also a referendum on President Donald Trump New Jersey is one of two states with a gubernatorial election this year “I think this race and the race in Virginia can be an organizing principle around how we create the path forward,” Sherrill said “Because it’s not enough to [just] fight Trump and they need someone to fight the status quo and they need to know that a governor is going to govern.” Sherrill spoke for about eight minutes and took questions for another 20 The only other gubernatorial candidate mentioned by name was 2021 nominee Jack Ciattarelli (“We see Jack Ciattarelli breaking land-speed records to get to Bedminster to kiss Trump’s ring,” she said.) The Democrat discussed education and emphasized her support for policies to build more housing and produce more energy Sherrill told the group that solar and wind energy presented opportunities for New Jersey to increase production but she’s especially interested in nuclear energy The congresswoman said further investment in nuclear plants would drive energy prices down while reducing the state’s dependency on coal power from other states which she called “the dirtiest power that we have.” “If we are truly going to meet all the needs you keep coming back to nuclear to really expand how much power we can produce cleanly,” she told the crowd Sherrill told the New Jersey Globe she believed those extensions are illegal and that Trump should enforce the deadline. She also accused the company of contributing to a mental health crisis among young Americans. Still, the congresswoman has said she needs to “meet people where they are,” and she told the New Jersey Globe that her campaign has taken steps to ensure the account doesn’t lead to security vulnerabilities With the Trump administration’s aggressive executive action worrying Democrats across the country Sherrill said her federal experience will be necessary Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka have touted their municipal experience on the campaign trail arguing Trenton needs a governor who deeply understands how state policies will interact with local governments who served in the Navy and worked as a federal prosecutor before her time in politics argues her congressional experience will provide the state with stable leadership under an unpredictable president “We’re going to have to take on the federal government to claw those dollars back to run our state systems,” she told the New Jersey Globe “So that combination of understanding both the federal [government] and the state I think that’s something somewhat unique to my candidacy.” Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here OCEANPORT – It was a groundbreaking moment for horse racing A racetrack that wasn’t Saratoga or Del Mar organizing a boutique summer meet with big names chasing large purses driving massive betting numbers But Monmouth Park’s so-called “Elite Meet” in 2010 turned out to be a one-off with then-Gov Chris Christie committed to privatizing New Jersey’s racetracks while debate about the 50-day meet’s merits continue to this day “If someone gave us the same money - we got $50 million that year – and we could do the Elite Meet again I’d do it every year until I die,” said Dennis Drazin More: Preakness 2025: Early contenders after Sovereignty wins Kentucky Derby They don't have $50 million - more like $23 million in purse money will be available during the 50-day meet which opens Saturday - but it was an important blueprint Kentucky Downs will run seven days in August and September with average daily purses of nearly $5 million Colonial Downs in Virginia is expanding its summer meet to 41 days this summer running four days a week with average purses of more than $650,000 daily And while there remain widely divergent opinions on the subject of cutting racing days fiscal reality could be a determining factor as the sport’s landscape shifts Phil Murphy’s proposed budget recommends a $5 million decrease in the state’s annual $20 million purse subsidy to the horse racing industry which would trim Monmouth Park’s share from $10 million to $7.5 million It also calls for the tax on sports betting revenues a critical revenue stream for the state's racetracks There’s also a legislative push in Trenton to reduce the number of days Monmouth Park is required to run each year from 50 to 25 while many local horsemen push back on the idea higher purses and more cooperation between tracks “But you have to take care of the horsemen watched as one of his Jersey-breds stepped onto the track Friday morning before taking a seat near the rail His stable of state-breds bankrolled $654,474 at Monmouth Park last year with Sea Streak winning the Long Branch and Charles Hesse III Stakes while running fifth in the $1 million Haskell Stakes And after winning just once in 16 starts at Gulfstream Park over the winter he’s looking forward to the summer at the Jersey Shore “I go down to South Florida but it’s tough Chuck Spina’s runners amassed $691,532 in purse money last summer But having been a fixture at Monmouth Park since 1972 back when the state had a year-round racing circuit he understands the impact a reduction to 30 days would have with purses averaging nearly $800,000 per day generated a 213% increase in average daily handle a 79% increase in online handle and a 47% increase in attendance Monmouth Park regulars argue big outfits swooped in from out-of-state to take a large chunk of that purse money While the shorter meet reduces the amount of time trainers can stable and train at the track But could a shorter meet with higher purses help Monmouth Park remain relevant at least until revenues materialize down the road from the proposed development on the property which includes 298 units of senior rental housing and a hotel Executive Director of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association It involves 275 days of racing in the Mid-Atlantic region “What are the meets that are successful anymore We have to get younger people to the track The only way you are going to do that is event-driven kind of weekends the plan would require cooperation between state racing organizations something that's been seriously lacking over the years with meets and big races run on top of each other creating a challenging situation at a time when the number of horses is decreasing “We might have 60 or 70 Jersey-breds born this year “We’re getting to the point where in order to survive if nothing happens for us in the next few years featuring four stakes races and $800,000 total in purses generated a total handle topped $10 million second highest for the meet behind the record $21.7 million wagered on Haskell Day And the revenue generated helps fund purses at all levels And if it doesn’t it’s time for everybody to go home.” Stephen Edelson is a USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey sports columnist who has been covering athletics in the state and at the Jersey Shore for over 35 years Contact him at: @SteveEdelsonAPP; sedelson@gannettnj.com Thanks for visiting By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Prairie Communications, 55 Public Square, Monmouth, IL, 61462, https://977wmoi.com/. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact The Monmouth College Fighting Scots Baseball squad who were picked to finish 7th out of 8 teams in the Midwest Conference preseason coaches poll this new addition will bring many changes in your life State Senator Mike Halpin has secured over $3.5 million dollars to revitalize 15th Avenue in East Moline and a reconstruction of Main Street in Monmouth “These projects are an exciting development The Monmouth College baseball team lost a 1-0 pitchers duel on Sunday at Ripon The Monmouth College softball team finished the season on Sunday with two home losses against Midwest Conference champion Lake Forest At the recent United Board of Education meeting the newly elected board members were officially seated reports Superintendent Tom Hawkins: “We had our special Prairie Communications, LLC which is a part of Robbin’s Treat Resources, LLC. © 2022. All Rights Reserved. Developed by Clear Profits Digital Marketing Game Recap: Softball | 5/3/2025 3:07:00 PM | Nick Kapatos Thanks for visiting Dive into the diverse breakfast and dinner options at local spots in New Jersey The Jersey Shore has some of the best Mexican restaurants I have several friends who love Mexican and for their birthdays we always find a delicious "new" Mexican restaurant that we haven't tried before Recently, bestofnj.com did the "best" Mexican restaurants in New Jersey I had their chalupas and taco and it was delicious Mexican food is delicious at dinnertime but an authentic Mexican breakfast is amazing and of course the amazing quesadillas (my favorite) Most of these 10 Mexican restaurants in Ocean and Monmouth County have authentic Mexican with their flare of specials mixed in there Every Mexican restaurant I've ever been to has something special on its menu that will have you coming back for more New Jersey has hundreds of Mexican restaurants If you're looking for delicious Mexican food in the Garden State, click here Craving authentic Mexican flavors? Dive into the diverse breakfast and dinner options at local spots in New Jersey.\nRead More Recently, bestofnj.com did the "best" Mexican restaurants in New Jersey If you're looking for delicious Mexican food in the Garden State, click here “These projects are an exciting development for East Moline and Monmouth we have a chance to preserve our local culture while dressing up our towns for the future,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island) “This grant money will go to good use making our towns hubs of commercial activity and pleasant downtowns for folks in the community.” The grant includes $2 million for East Moline Improvements will support economic growth by transforming 15th Avenue – the city’s “Main Street” – into an accessible connected corridor that prioritizes space for pedestrians The Monmouth project includes the reconstruction and streetscaping of Main Street from 2nd Ave to 1st Avenue and from Archer Avenue to Boston Avenue with the previously reconstructed Public Square between the two sections of the project These renovations will spruce up and revive the downtown area “We appreciate Senator Halpin’s help and support to get this vitally important grant for Monmouth to complete our downtown revitalization project,” said Mayor Rod Davies we are further investing in the future of our downtown making it a more inviting destination for shopping We’re proud to partner with the State of Illinois to bring this vision to life.” A full list of awardees can be found here More than $14,000 was awarded to 31 teachers through the Teacher Mini Grants with the Galesburg Community Foundation explains Director of Grants and Programs Jillian Isaacson: “This year we were Working alongside the hospitality and retail industries State Senator Mike Halpin outlined his measure at a press conference Thursday to create a more targeted approach to combatting human trafficking would like to announce the arrest of a Knox County local registered offender The City of Galesburg celebrated Arbor Day on Friday by planting a Swamp White Oak at King Elementary School Game Recap: Softball | 5/2/2025 3:00:00 PM | Nick Kapatos Thanks for visiting Thanks for visiting Join the Monmouth Fire Department in Monmouth for a 6-minute audio tour of their innovative new training facility constructed from repurposed shipping containers They dive into how firefighters are honing their skills with live burn drills and exercises using their 107-foot Ladder 40 truck Learn about the facility’s practical design for real-world scenarios and its potential to serve as a regional training hub this setup is a game-changer for keeping Monmouth’s firefighters sharp and ready Perfect for listeners interested in firefighting clinched a spot in the Midwest Conference Tournament with their win in game 1 of the 3 game series finale with Ripon College on Saturday Monmouth College finishes the regular season with record of (17-20) and (12-9) in a very even Midwest Conference which was good enough for a 3rd place finish Head Coach Alan Betourne talks about his guy’s fight throughout the season Monmouth College Baseball will be on the diamond for their first Midwest Conference Tournament since 2020 on Friday as the Fighting Scots will take on Beloit College at 9 am at Lawrence University The Midwest Conference tournament is a 4 team they will play at 7:30 on Friday night against the winner of Lawrence and Grinnell Should Monmouth lose their first round game they will play the loser of the same match up at 4:30 on Friday afternoon Monmouth took the series 2-1 against each team in the tournament as they look for their first Midwest Conference Championship in 7 years For the full interview with Coach Betourne Parker Cassidy sat down with former United Red Storm and Monmouth College football standout Jackson Bergren Story by Parker Cassidy United Red Storm Baseball is coming off yet another solid week grabbing 2 wins against Mercery County and ROWVA-Williamsfield and falling to a 2024 sectional champion 12-9) will be the #3 seed at the Midwest Conference Tournament and will play Beloit on Friday Lawrence won on Sunday to clinch the #1 seed while Grinnell will be the #4 Ripon scored in the bottom of the second against Monmouth senior starting pitcher Toby Turnquist (Monmouth the Red Hawks took the lead on a pair of singles Monmouth’s first 15 batters were retired in order until Aiden Scott (Carrollton Illinois) moved Scott to second with a sacrifice bunt but the next two batters were retired to end the inning Florida) singled with one out in the seventh and he moved to second when Clayton Matkovic (Monmouth Still down 1-0 in the ninth Gabe Zeigler-Harris (East Peoria Florida) walked to put the tying run in scoring position but a double play left a runner at second with two down and a flyout ended the game Turnquist (3-6) took the loss despite allowing just one run over six innings Illinois) threw two shutout innings with one hit allowed and one strikeout MONMOUTH MOMENTS: Guillermo has a 15-game hit streak … He moved into second on the career at-bats list and into a tie on the career hits list with 167 … With 51 hits on the season he is tied for 13th … Turnquist moved into a tie for 12th with Connor Sharp (’20) and Austin Hardy (’17) for career pitching appearances with 35 … He and Saturday starter Ethan Zaayenga (Tremont beating Lawrence and Beloit at home and winning the series on the road against Grinnell Thanks for visiting EATONTOWN -‑ It appears that the Senior Citizens Activities Network will not be part of the future of the newly rebranded Monmouth Square said the organization was informed by the property owner Kushner Cos that it must move out by the end of the year due to its redevelopment plans Kushner is far along on its $415 million transformation of the property into a town center That transformation has seen considerable demolition which included knocking down the former buildings that once housed anchor tenants JCPenney and Lord & Taylor Kushner is creating an open-air shopping center with 1,000 apartments mostly located in the center of the property SCAN, which is a nonprofit that offers programming for senior citizens has been located in the basement of the mall since 1988 That programming includes wellness programs lifelong learning and community engagement The future Monmouth Square: Monmouth Mall owner lines up $415M for giant transformation; see demolition work so far it’s a lifeline,” Ciavolino wrote in a news release shared with the Asbury Park Press “Our space at the mall has been a vital gathering place for seniors to stay active Losing our home puts those connections and the well-being of our members and Monmouth County’s neediest seniors did not offer any comments on the record for this story from conversations with Ciavolino that the basement may be reconfigured or possibly sealed off Ciavolino told the Press that it hasn't been easy running their programming during the demolition as there have been internet interruptions among other issues that have popped up along the way Eatontown news: Big City Sandwiches in Eatontown offers taste of Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Chicago He said they have some leads on a new spot but SCAN is also calling on the broader community and turning to its many sponsors for help The nonprofit is seeking leads on new space financial support for the transition and public advocacy to ensure its vital programs can continue without interruption “SCAN has been a thread in the fabric of the Eatontown community for decades,” Ciavolino said in his press release When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor Reach him @danielradelapp; dradel@gannettnj.com CentraState Medical Center received a C from a watchdog group in the latest safety grades because of a higher-than-average incidence of bedsores but administrators say they have tackled the issue and expect the Freehold Township-based hospital will see its grade improve soon the Leapfrog Group's grades for the spring 2025 showed Southern Ocean Medical Center in Stafford improved from a B to an A It joined seven other Monmouth and Ocean County hospitals that received the top safety score The Leapfrog Group is a coalition of big employers and other health care purchasers that publishes grades of hospitals nationwide twice a year the clarity of instructions from doctors and nurses and infection rates The survey gives consumers another tool they can use to search for high-quality care And it gives hospitals a chance to address deficiencies and eliminate what analysts say are preventable mistakes Hunting for hospital workers: Hackensack Meridian seeks to funnel them from Monmouth University “Preventable medical errors remain a significant challenge in hospitals across the nation and far too many people are harmed or killed every year as a result," said Linda Schwimmer president and chief executive officer of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute an advocacy group that helps with the survey "We are proud of the 36 New Jersey hospitals that earned an A and we are proud that 100% of our state’s hospitals voluntarily participate in the Leapfrog survey.” four hospitals have received A's for at least the five past rounds: Community Medical Center in Toms River; Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune; Ocean University Medical Center in Brick; and Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood CentraState by comparison has received C's during that time Executives there said the hospital has been penalized for pressure injuries The category is given extra weight by The Leapfrog Group in its grades The spring 2025 grades used data for pressure injuries from July 2021 to July 2023 CentraState's own figures provided to the Asbury Park Press show pressure ulcer rates have improved and now are better than the national average "As data for more current years is added to the Leapfrog evaluation process the improvement we are making will be reflected in the grade," a CentraState spokesperson said in a statement Medicaid cuts: How many millions could your Monmouth or Ocean County hospital lose? How did Monmouth and Ocean County hospitals fare Bayshore Medical Center: See how renovation plans are transforming Holmdel hospital CentraState Medical Center: This is why CentraState plowed $4M into pediatric emergency care and kid hospital rooms Community Medical Center: NJ needs doctors. So how can we convince these Toms River resident graduates to stay? Jersey Shore University Medical Center: Heart trouble? Jersey Shore hospital spending $45M to make you want to fix it there Monmouth Medical Center: Cancer care part of $200M campus under construction at Fort Monmouth site MMC Southern Campus: Lakewood has seen explosive growth; here is what its hospital has done to keep up Ocean University Medical Center: $20M heart lab can save lives every day with new tech Southern Ocean Medical Center: Southern Ocean adds thousands of residents; Stafford hospital is catching up Diamond is a business reporter for 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 Thanks for visiting Brookdale Community College welcomed mayors and local officials from the greater Monmouth County area to its inaugural President’s Summit of Monmouth Mayors a signature event celebrating New Jersey Local Government Week and National Community College Month provided a dynamic platform for collaboration between the College and municipalities across Monmouth County spotlighting shared opportunities to build stronger “This summit is about building stronger bridges between Brookdale and the communities we serve,” said President Stout we can address the challenges our towns face and create new opportunities for residents across Monmouth County.” The program opened with welcome remarks from Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas A Arnone and NJ Conference of Mayors President Mayor Robert Conley with a special video address from Mayor Ricardo Rio of Braga the voices of mayors are being heard on a global stage,” said Rio “Through international partnerships and local solutions Commissioner Arnone emphasized the value of smart investment and collaboration “Brookdale isn’t just the number one community college in New Jersey it’s an essential part of what makes Monmouth County such a desirable place to live and work,” he said “Our commitment to supporting the College with resources and partnerships is an investment in the future of our workforce Brookdale’s leadership team then presented four key initiatives for municipal collaboration: Securing Your City’s Future: Led by Professor Mike Qaissaunee and NJ Chief Information Security Officer Michael T this session highlighted urgent threats to municipal data and the training Brookdale provides to prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals “Most local governments don’t have the resources to defend against cyber threats on their own,” said Geraghty and expert guidance to help municipalities protect their systems and recover quickly Director of Brookdale’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) emphasized the importance of supporting small business creation and growth at the local level we offer one-on-one confidential business counseling and pitch competitions to help startups and existing businesses thrive.” the center helped launch approximately 100 new businesses annually and provided over $10 million in capital infusion to local companies These services have not only fueled economic growth but also helped preserve and create jobs across Monmouth and Ocean counties Executive Director of Continuing & Professional Studies discussed Brookdale’s robust offerings in job training “What makes us unique is our ability to customize training programs to meet the specific needs of any business or municipality,” said Pagano “Whether it’s basic computer skills we can build a program tailored to your team we have access to expert faculty across so many fields—and that allows us to design high-impact learning experiences that drive results.” Developing the Next Municipal Workforce: Interim Dean Jill Donovan showcased Brookdale’s internship and civic engagement programs that connect students with real-world public service opportunities “We have programs that are designed for transfer and then programs that are designed to get students right into the career,” said Donovan “Every single student that goes here can benefit from an internship we’re not just preparing students for jobs we’re preparing them to serve their communities Whether it’s through internships in local government we’re helping students see a future in public service Mayors can take this message back home: the next generation of your municipal workforce is already here—and we’re ready to connect you with them.” Brookdale’s student body was represented by Student Life Board President Montez Schwartz who shared his path to Brookdale and recent acceptance into The College of New Jersey public policy program “Brookdale students are everywhere working Your continued support of this institution makes that possible.” “Every dollar invested in Brookdale goes back into the community many times over because community colleges are economic engines for the county,” said President Stout “The dollars invested here help create jobs that feed the economy.” The event concluded with a group visit to Brookdale’s award-winning Esports Arena which is open to the public and offered a glimpse into how the college is preparing students for high-tech careers in gaming Executive Director of Governmental Affairs and Community Relations Ed Johnson “No partnership is too big or too small Today was about planting seeds for lasting local solutions—and this is just the beginning.” Brookdale plans to make the President’s Summit of Monmouth Mayors an annual tradition GET STARTED FIND MY PATH Thanks for visiting The Seton Hall Pirates defeated the Monmouth Hawks Seton Hall looked to bring some good mojo back after losing their last four games in a row after suffering a series sweep against UConn looked to extend their winning streak to three after taking two out of three games against Elon Phoenix from April 18 to April 20 After Seton Hall leadoff hitter and sophomore outfielder Aiden Robbins got on base on balls Robbins stole second base for his 16th stolen base of the year After a wild pitch passed by Monmouth graduate catcher Shane Dux Robbins then stole home to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead in the first inning Seton Hall freshman starting pitcher Tomas Cestero pitched another scoreless inning before the Pirates managed to double the lead on offense courtesy of a solo home run from junior first baseman Nick Ferri This marked his second home run of the year giving the Pirates a 2-0 cushion in the second inning Monmouth showed a bit of fight in the fourth inning as they loaded the bases with one out before Cestero managed to escape while only allowing one run on a fielder's choice the Pirates responded to the Hawks’ one run with a vengeance unfazed by Monmouth coach Dean Ehehalt’s decision to bring in junior left-handed pitcher Jimmy Wigo hit a bomb to the right field pole for his second home run of the day Seton Hall scored two more runs in the inning thanks to a bunt single from graduate third baseman Marco Ali and a bases-loaded walk from sophomore center fielder AJ Soldra to give the Pirates a 5-2 lead by the end of the fourth as he pitched consecutive 1-2-3 innings in the fifth and sixth Despite getting two outs in the seventh inning This prompted a pitching change for the Pirates as Cestero was taken out for graduate pitcher Patrick Benn Seton Hall responded by tripling Monmouth’s runs With an error from third baseman sophomore Graedon Finarelli and two walks the Pirates scored three more runs as they led 8-3 through seven innings Despite allowing one run thanks to an RBI groundout from junior right fielder Aiden Bretschnider in the ninth inning The Pirates currently stand 19-26 overall after winning a three-game series against the Butler Bulldogs from April 25 to April 27 and defeating Hofstra on April 30 Seton Hall will face Xavier in a three-game series starting Friday John Misiewicz writes for The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at john.misiewicz@student.shu.edu Thanks for visiting Thanks for visiting Thanks for visiting Home buyers continue to descend on the Jersey Shore a faltering stock market and economic uncertainty to push median home prices to record heights according to statistics from the New Jersey Association of Realtors The Realtors' data showed that new listings ticked up in March The median price of a single-family home sold in Monmouth County was $750,000 The median price in Ocean County was $606,000 "One (buyer) has said they're going to hold off now and wait and see what happens (with the economy)," said Adrian Jusino a real estate agent with Exp Realty based in Red Bank house hunters in Monmouth and Ocean counties are running into a familiar pattern: They are finding low inventory and high prices while they await for signs that the housing market is beginning to thaw Affordable housing: Toms River ordered to build 670 affordable homes; here's what other Shore towns agreed to Many owners who bought or refinanced their homes during the peak of the pandemic are unwilling to move now that mortgage rates are much higher And economists say it will take time for more homes to come on the market "The passage of time should bring about more inventory as life-changing events force some homeowners to give up their locked-in low mortgage rates," Lawrence Yun chief economist for the National Association of Realtors lower mortgage rates will be needed to get homeowners to move." but not remorseBuyers continue to face frustration Janet and Bill Emmert moved from Plumstead Township to Holmdel last year to be closer to their daughter The Emmerts watched as newly listed homes were sold before they could even make an appointment to see them they made a cash offer $150,000 more than the asking price and waived contingences They learned later that five of the seven offers on the house were also all cash They finally bought a home in Holmdel on almost an acre for $1.5 million after deciding at the last minute to up their offer The house was almost twice as much as what they sold their home for in Pennsylvania But Emmert didn't sound like she had buyer's remorse Affordable housing: NJ built 400K affordable homes since Mount Laurel decision 50 years ago; it's not enough But she wondered how her daughter and son-in-law they can't find anything under $1 million," Janet Emmert said Rising prices: Why is New Jersey's inflation rate so high? Grocery prices under scrutiny the supply of homes for sale ticked up in Monmouth and Ocean counties — but it still wasn't enough to keep up with demand the New Jersey Association of Realtors statistics showed Not that there aren't some signs of a slowdown an agent with Coldwell Banker Realty in Spring Lake said the recent stock market slide has cooled the luxury home market But Rice said homes for less than $1 million are attracting multiple bids and Ocean County neighborhoods in Point Pleasant and Brick are particularly strong Even though 30-year fixed-rate mortgages remain above 6.5% Rice said he recently listed a four-bedroom 2,400-square-foot ranch home on Tall Oaks Drive in Brick for $775,000 and got seven or eight offers "The demand is still strong enough for people who want to come to this area that there's not enough inventory," Rice said "So that still remains our biggest problem." Diamond is a business writer for the Asbury Park Press He can be reached at mdiamond @gannettnj.com Monmouth University is excited to host its upcoming 2025 Spring Career & Internship Fair providing students with the unique opportunity to connect with top employers from various industries This event aims to foster meaningful interactions between students and hiring professionals Whether you’re looking to jumpstart your career or explore new fields the Career Fair is the perfect place to make valuable connections and gain insights into your future career path Thanks for visiting Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application John Edward Twomey was born on his family’s farm on September 10 John was the first son born to Victor and Ruth Lucile (McElroy) Twomey He was welcomed by his sister Norma and followed by the births of his siblings he was truly one of the last of this country’s Greatest Generation John attended Ward School for his first 8 years Being of small stature at 5’6” and approximately 80 lbs He wasn’t big enough for the basketball team but he wanted nothing more than to earn a letter “R” so a girl would go to a dance with him He earned his first letter as the manager of the basketball team He went on to become a world-class long-distance runner He was built for speed and even more importantly John attended Western Illinois University in Macomb for his first two years of college He never lost a race in the two-mile or cross-country competitions John was named an All-American athlete both years John joined the Army Air Corps as a radio operator on a B-24 flying supplies over the “Hump” for Chenault’s “Flying Tigers” He was also part of the bombing crew that helped to blow up the bridge critical to the Japanese for the Burma-Siam railway John attended the University of Illinois in Champaign John was able to travel the world as part of the AAU US team He traveled through Europe and South America as well as representing the US at such venues as Madison Square Gardens During one of his races on an indoor running track He continued running the race and his bare foot continued to be bloodied by the torn up wooden splinters made by the cleats of the runner’s shoes The newspaper at the time recalled that even though he had not won the race he won the everlasting respect of the crowd and his competitors John continued to race for the AAU US team with trips to Europe and Scandinavia In 1950 he won the Boardwalk Mile in Atlantic City He then traveled to Finland and New Zealand where at that time he was the fourth fastest 1,500-meter runner in AAU history His last races took place at the Pan American games in Buenos Aires Argentina where he received a certificate signed by Eva and Juan Peron He returned home to Roseville to help his father with the farm and it was then that he met the love of his life they met at a drug store soda fountain after church They were married shortly after and spent 62 years together a grain elevator that was purchased by his father in 1945 The motto of the company was “Our Country was developed by individuals in business Let us keep it that way.” John made that motto a reality He was able to build upon that small business by his ability to understand the value of customer service and innovation Flat Storage” for his innovation of exactly that He was instrumental in his selfless volunteering efforts to the Monmouth Country Club YMCA and countless other efforts to local and regional concerns John started the Twomey Foundation as a way to give back to the community that had given so much to him and his family Mary “Lucy” (George) Dougherty Craig & Wendy Twomey and Sarah & Jeff Walters; eleven grandchildren Ryan Cunningham and Blake Cunningham and ten great grandchildren One of John’s favorite poems was Robert Frost’s classic “The Road Not Taken” It offered him the idea of the imperative of making choices; of making the right choices—for you as an individual —-and how the right choice is often not what others are doing or expect you to do The last three lines of the classic work read as follows: McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors 0vs4Monmouth Men's Tennis Falls to Monmouth in CAA Quarterfinals4/25/2025 5:09:00 PM | Men's Tennis Thanks for visiting WOODBRIDGE – Police are continuing to investigate a crash this weekend on the New Jersey Turnpike that left a 67-year-old Monmouth County man dead New Jersey State Troopers responded shortly before 3:50 a.m Saturday to the crash on the southbound inner roadway at milepost 94.6 An investigation indicates a Chevrolet Malibu and a Mazda CX-5 were traveling southbound when the Mazda struck the rear of the Chevrolet causing both vehicles to veer off the roadway to the right The two vehicles then became disabled in the travel lanes a Toyota Sienna stopped near the scene to render aid collided with the disabled Chevrolet and the parked Toyota causing the Toyota to then collide with the disabled Mazda email: cmakin@gannettnj.com Cheryl Makin is an award-winning feature, news and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin please subscribe or activate your digital account today Thanks for visiting 2vs0Monmouth Photo by: Megan O'Brien/Monmouth Athletic CommunicationsMSU Baseball Sweeps Saturday’s Twinbill With Monmouth To Complete Four Wins In Two Days2/15/2025 5:40:00 PM | Baseball Spartans open season 4-0 for first time since 2020 after winning pair of DHs in 22 hours Student and faculty researchers at Monmouth University have recorded the first confirmation of the anemone species Actinia equina A common inhabitant of the rocky coastlines of the British Isles and Northern Europe the anemone has found a new home which bears some similarities – the jetties that protrude into the waters of the New Jersey Shore The team located the anemones on a half-dozen beaches from Long Branch to Manasquan in Monmouth County Members of the public have reported possible sightings as far north as Long Island and south as Island Beach State Park “We don’t really have the kind of rocky ecosystems where they thrive here in the Mid-Atlantic but they have invaded the human-made groins that were constructed decades ago for sand retention,” said Diederik Boonman a senior marine and environmental biology and policy student at Monmouth structure and food that make for a hospitable habitat in an otherwise sandy environment where they wouldn’t survive.” Boonman first encountered the anemones while cataloging marine life in the intertidal zone at a beach near campus as part of a homework assignment Neither he nor Endowed Professor of Marine Science Jason Adolf recognized what they were seeing and a review of existing literature and databases didn’t turn up any likely matches known to live in the region a few other local beachgoers had posted pictures of similar specimens on a crowdsourcing website where nature enthusiasts and scientists can share information about wildlife and plants they’ve encountered But Adolf and Boonman continued the search and consulted with anemone experts from around the globe including James Carlton of Williams College and Craig Wilding of Liverpool John Moores University (U.K.) The group zeroed in on the likelihood that it was Actinia equina A comparison of DNA samples from one of the New Jersey anemones and a native specimen provided by Wilding in England turned up a match “It is a privilege to work with motivated and enthusiastic students like Diederik to document important changes to the marine fauna of our region like this,” Adolf said “The next step is to expand what we know about this anemone’s distribution and how it fits in with the local ecosystem.” Although the species can be a variety of colors the ones located in New Jersey have a blue ring at their bottom and matching green tentacles with blue tips They are known as aggressive predators which use their tentacles to capture small fish then retract them and close up during low tide to conserve moisture.  While their tentacles do produce a toxin to stun prey they don’t pose a serious threat to humans and can’t penetrate the skin They also tend to live in the crevices between the rocks where bathers are unlikely to come in contact with them The researchers believe the anemones most likely arrived as hitchhikers aboard an international ship traveling to the Port of New York/New Jersey They release clones into the water that can float and survive extreme conditions until they find a surface to cling to These juvenile organisms may have been discharged in a ship’s ballast water or from an anemone living on a hull then carried by the currents from the New York Harbor area to Northern Monmouth County Boonman and Adolf are working on a GIS map showing the locations of sightings in the area in an effort to track their spread. Anyone who sees one is asked to email jadolf@monmouth.edu with the date and location of the observation The Monmouth-Roseville Titan host the Macomb Bombers at Sunny Lane Field for Senior Day. For the replay of the WMOI radio broadcast of the game, click HERE Monmouth University launched a five-year strategic plan that crystalized our focus on providing top-tier academic programs while ensuring that a Monmouth education remained within reach for deserving students regardless of their means The plan also set forth a bold goal: to make Monmouth University a national leader at integrating excellence and access by becoming the most highly ranked private institution of its kind Monmouth has launched a comprehensive fundraising campaign of the same name to fuel and sustain that vision is the largest fundraising campaign in the University’s history and establish Monmouth University as a leading force in higher education Today’s challenges in higher education present a tremendous opportunity for institutions willing to rise to the occasion This Campaign is the largest fundraising effort in Monmouth’s history and we have the fullest intention to meet and exceed this impressive goal we cannot meet our ambitions without the support of our Monmouth family It will take legions of alumni and friends—like us—to make the next chapter of Monmouth University stronger than the last No matter what motivates you—enhancing the campus’ magnificent infrastructure or any of the programs that keep Monmouth relevant in the marketplace—your commitment to any of the key priorities will further accelerate our progress Monmouth University has always been a place where ambition meets opportunity where deserving students from all backgrounds can reach new heights through the power of a first-rate But as the higher education landscape changes the University faces new challenges—from increased competition for students to the growing need for financial aid will enable Monmouth to rise above these challenges by supporting the campaign’s three key priorities: Strategic investments will enrich our state-of-the-art facilities creating an exceptional learning environment and strengthening the Monmouth experience Projects include two major new facilities—the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music a dynamic expansion of the OceanFirst Bank Center’s health and fitness facilities—as well as significant enhancements to existing living and learning spaces The new $48 million Center will draw tens of thousands of visitors from around the state 30,000-square-foot interactive museum experience will feature three permanent galleries An extension of the existing OceanFirst Bank Center and initially seeded by our friends at Hackensack Meridian Health 23,000-square-foot expansion will enhance the health and wellness of our students this functional and attractive space will include: a main lounge; a sports medicine and athletic training lab with hydrotherapy pools; flexible wellness space; and an enlarged fitness center This new main artery of the Monmouth campus will begin at Pollak Theatre and traverse the southwestern grounds connecting the new Nagy Common—an outdoor student plaza featuring a fire pit and lounge chairs—with a new student gathering space featuring a four-sided clock A robust endowment is essential for sustaining Monmouth’s long-term stability and ambitions we will ensure that resources are in place to support financial aid needs and innovative academic programming needed for Monmouth to continue serving students for generations to come Annual support provides resources that directly benefit today’s students by meeting immediate needs for scholarships Increasing annual funds enables Monmouth to respond to emerging opportunities and challenges preparing students for successful post-graduate careers The results of Monmouth’s commitment to integrating excellence and access are already evident The University recently achieved its highest-ever ranking in U.S and received national recognition for promoting social mobility while welcoming a growing number of first-generation and low-income students will ensure Monmouth University continues to rise as a place of unparalleled academic quality Join us in this ambitious undertaking to transform students’ lives and secure Monmouth’s future as a national leader at integrating excellence and access campaign@monmouth.edu 2vs5Monmouth Men's Tennis Loses 5-2 to Monmouth4/19/2025 6:03:00 PM | Men's Tennis Purdue has bolstered its d-line by landing a portal commitment from Monmouth EDGE Miles Mitchell He is Purdue’s fifth d-line commitment in the spring and 23rd spring commitment overall He spent the last three seasons at FCS Monmouth beginning his career at Lackawanna College before transferring to Monmouth Mitchell played 11 games with three starts and notched 28 tackles Mitchell had 24 tackles with three tackles for loss in 10 games with eight starts 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks while starting every game and earning honorable-mention All-CAA honors All Glory to God!! @BoilerFootball #BOILERUP pic.twitter.com/yj8q1Bw9yT Purdue has augmented its special teams with a commitment from UConn kicker/punter Seth Turner on Monday. He is Purdue’s 24th spring portal... Austin Appleby is coming home to Purdue. According to a report by Pete Thamel of ESPN, Purdue will hire the former Boilermaker quarterback as an... Let's answer some of your Purdue football questions as the staff looks to put the finishing touches on what looks like a strong spring portal class.... Purdue Tweets/videos https://twitter.com/TomDienhart1/status/1918267523142688979 https://twitter.com/GoldandBlackcom/status/1918045194500341882... In today's Weekly Word, necessary changes for college football's off-season, Purdue basketball's favorable Big Ten schedule draw and more.... Purdue Tweets/videos https://twitter.com/TomDienhart1/status/1917892072503152782 https://twitter.com/DarrenHeitner/status/1917676574629097478... Purdue has added a big body along the defensive line, getting a commitment from D2 Fort Valley State tackle Josh Burney. The 6-4, 320-pound Burney... Mississippi State CB Tre Wright committed to Purdue on Tuesday, a source confirmed to GoldandBlack.com. He'll have three years of eligibility.... Purdue has bolstered its secondary with a commitment from Northwestern DB An'Darius Coffey on Tuesday. The sixth-year senior will have one year of... Our April 29th edition features GoldandBlack.com football beat writer and Tom Dienhart discussing all the new additions to Purdue football coach... Purdue has enhanced its special teams, netting a commitment from Nebraska punter Jack McCallister on Tuesday. He is Purdue's 19th portal commitment... Three things learned. Two questions. One bold statement. It's time for The 3-2-1, a look at Purdue football. Three things learned 1 - Portal shop... Purdue has bolstered its linebacking unit by netting a pledge from UNLV's Charles Correa on Monday night. He will have three years of eligibility... Purdue picked up a promising wideout from the portal on Monday, gaining a commitment from Utah's David Washington, he tells GoldandBlack.com. He'll... Purdue has added a long snapper to its growing collection on April portal imports, getting a commitment from Georgia's Luke Raab. He has four years... First-year Purdue coach Barry Odom continues to turn over the roster, adding safety Myles Slusher from the transfer portal. Slusher was a 2021... Purdue center Gus Hartwig didn't hear his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he tells GoldandBlack.com that he has signed with the New York... Purdue added another portal offensive lineman, netting a commitment from Georgia's Marques Easley on Saturday. The 6-5, 325-pound Easley will have... Purdue offensive lineman Marcus Mbow finally heard his name called in the 5th round of the 2025 NFL draft, going 154th overall to Giants. In the... Purdue has picked up another edge rusher, adding North Texas' Breylon Charles from the portal on Friday night. The 6-4, 270-pound Charles tallied 30... Let's take the lid off a chat, answering your questions with Purdue in the midst of altering its roster in the transfer portal. To see the full chat,... In this week's BOILING OVER at GoldandBlack.com, in-depth insight on Purdue football's portal comings and goings, Boilermaker basketball news and... One Purdue player projects to be selected in the 2025 NFL draft: Marcus Mbow. The big question is how high will he go? Some draftniks believe Mbow... Purdue looks like it found its quarterback when Ryan Browne did a u turn for West Lafayette after leaving for North Carolina last December. Now, who... Purdue has added another portal offensive lineman in the April window: Kentucky's Marc Nave. He will have three years of eligibility. Nave is the... Top 101Shane BeamerPuts NCAA on blast Hot3Trump, Saban blastedNIL order ripped On3 is a registered trademark of On3 Media