Columbus
Star News Group
Historical Society jewelry sale set for May 11
AVON-BY-THE-SEA — The Avon-By-The-Sea Historical Society will hold a half-price jewelry sale Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the shed behind the municipal building, near Volunteer Park. The sale will offer an array of donated costume jewelry pieces, including necklaces, bracelets, pendants, rings and more, all marked 50% off the original price.
Sports management students prep for kickball fundraiser
POINT PLEASANT — Students of the Point Pleasant Borough High School Sports Management class are putting the final preparations on their annual kickball game fundraiser. The event will be on Tuesday, May 21. Two games will be played, one at 5:45 and the other 7 p.m. at Al Saner field (football field).
Next Steps partners with Jersey Mike’s for inclusive initiative
POINT PLEASANT — The Next Steps Adult Day Program, based in Point Pleasant, has partnered with Jersey Mike’s Subs to bring adults with disabilities into their stores, allowing them to get practical experience working behind the counter. Jen Dyer, executive director, told The Ocean Star that these two organizations partnered to “create a more inclusive environment to raise awareness within our community about the adults with special needs and their abilities and how they are able to work just like everyone else.”
Asbestos found in school ceiling tiles
WALL TOWNSHIP — Asbestos was detected in Old Mill Elementary School (OMES) during testing in April, Wall Township Public Schools (WTPS) Superintendent of Schools Tracy Handerhan announced on Friday, May 3. Handerhan said the tiles in the ceilings of rooms in the school were required to be tested in compliance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, initiating procedures for a planned heating, ventilation, air and cooling (HVAC) project at OMES.
Life is but a dream on these local boating excursions
As the summer season rapidly approaches, one of the many ways to enjoy the Jersey Shore is by boat. Throughout Monmouth and Ocean County, there are hundreds of charter boats, pleasure cruises and fishing trips that can create lasting memories and fun days on the water. Are you looking to reel in the catch of a lifetime?
New theater at Bell Works will provide music and fun for all
Bell Works is a large complex in Holmdel that contains a wide variety of spaces, including retail businesses, dining locations, indoor golf and even educational services. It is housed on the site of the former Bell Labs but has since become a one-size-fits-all facility with something for everyone. Now, that facility includes Bell Theater, a new home for theatrical productions, classical music and many other kinds of performances.
Fotinos family infuses rich flavors and family history into Scarborough Fair menu
The exquisite and authentic flavors on the menu are the main focus of the Scarborough Fair team including Elias Fotinos, who is an owner along with his parents Mike and Eva Fotinos, and General Manager Jay Manzella. Michael Cox is just as detail-oriented on the flavors of the cocktails as bar manager.
Judge strikes down restrictive Bradley Beach ordinance
FREEHOLD — State Superior Court Judge Richard W. English has thrown out an ordinance adopted by the Bradley Beach borough council last December to remove the mayor’s executive appointment power. “The adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-16…is immediately enjoined and restrained, and is declared to be ultra vires, and is therefore null and void,” Judge English ruled on April 27.
Shore Community Alliance aims to educate about and address substance abuse
MANASQUAN — Members of the state’s Alliance program to combat drug abuse gave a presentation to the mayor and council during the council’s May 6 meeting, detailing the program’s goals and activity in hopes of garnering more support from surrounding communities. The purpose of the presentation was to teach the residents of Manasquan, a borough that is already involved in the program, about the work that the group does in preventing drug addiction and educating the public.
Belmar budget adoption postponed to May 28
BELMAR — The borough mayor and council, after hearing a budget presentation and public hearing at their meeting Tuesday night, tabled the resolution to adopt the 2024-2025 municipal budget of $24,569,508. The delay was ascribed to a technical issue with the state Department of Community Affairs. The budget adoption is expected to be included at the next council meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, May 28.
Bradley BOE approves budget of $9M
BRADLEY BEACH — The Bradley Beach Board of Education [BOE] approved a tentative budget on May 7 of $9,001,694, which would result in an annual increase of about $59 per average household. The board unanimously approved the budget, which was presented by Board Administrator David Tonzola and Superintendent Michael Heidelberg. The district is increasing the tax levy by 2% to $6,840,744, an increase of $134,132 over last year’s budget.
Bond ordinance introduced, aimed at purchasing beach equipment
MANASQUAN — The Manasquan mayor and council on Monday adopted a bond ordinance appropriating $500,000 for the purchase of equipment for the beach department. The ordinance had been introduced at the April 15 meeting. Before its introduction, the council had discussed requests from the beach department for new equipment during one of its early budget presentation meetings on March 16.
Spring Lake swimmer in distress later pronounced dead
SPRING LAKE — A male swimmer in distress was removed from the water in Spring Lake by multiple first responder agencies on May 4 and later pronounced dead at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Spring Lake Police Department officials announced on social media. According to the social media post, a call had come in of a swimmer in distress at the St.
East and West sides of Manasquan collide in annual Warrior for a Day
MANASQUAN — Despite the chilled air, competition ran hot among citizens of Manasquan on Saturday in the annual recreation department’s Warrior for a Day. This day saw dozens of Manasquan residents on two teams, East and West, compete in a slew of sporting activities including, cornhole, volleyball, flag football, softball and a tug-of-war.
The annual Brick Farmers Market returns bigger than ever
BRICK TOWNSHIP — For the 10th year going, the Brick Farmers Market returned, bringing more than 60 vendors to Windward Beach Park Saturday morning. Visitors to the market experienced a broad variety of products from the vendors, including farm-fresh produce, delicacies, artisanal foods, jellies and jams, pickles, crafts, florals, handmade jewelry and goods, craft beers and spirits and much more.
Team Hope brings awareness to Lake Como
LAKE COMO — Hundreds of racers and community members gathered in the Bar Anticipation parking lot early Saturday morning as they awaited the start of the 7th annual Team Hope Walk and 5k. With a chill in the air and the sun just peeking through the clouds, members of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) gathered to help organize this event, which is one of their largest fundraisers for the year.
Flavortown comes to Wine Outlet in Wall
WALL TOWNSHIP — Residents of Wall and the surrounding area got a little taste of Flavortown this weekend, as popular celebrity chef Guy Fieri visited the Wine Outlet to promote his new Santo Spirits tequila brand, and then made the rounds in the area, stopping at several area restaurants along the way.
Summer events in the works at Upper Shores Library
LAVALLETTE — The Upper Shores Branch of Ocean County Library is hosting several programs for kids and adults alike through June, including musical storytelling, a summer reading kickoff and health information and screenings. Jean Millerchip, the president of the Friends of the Upper Shores Library, told The Ocean Star about several events set for the months of May and June, such as “Tunes & Tales” with Valerie Vaughn, a kickoff to summer reading for the youngest Lavallette residents and senior-focused health programs.
Borough holds inaugural flag-raising ceremony for first responders
BELMAR — The mayor and council, after previously proclaiming the month of May as First Responders Month, hosted the first annual First Responders Flag Raising Celebration last week on Wednesday, May 1 in honor of the borough’s dedicated first responder force. In front of borough hall last Wednesday afternoon, a crowd gathered for a brief dedication honoring the hardworking individuals in the community who dedicate their lives as first responders.
Party by the Sea returns to Point Beach May 30
POINT PLEASANT BEACH — The Point Pleasant Beach Cultural Arts Committee’s Party by the Sea fundraiser returns on May 30, benefiting both the committee and the local art community with a social night of food, art and music. The committee will also hold its Juried Art show concurrently with the party; the first time the art show will be held since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Star News Group
6K+
Posts
11M+
Views
Star News Group is your local news source in southern Monmouth and northern Ocean counties. Visit our website at Starnewsgroup.com for news from the pages of The Coast Star, The Ocean Star and Night & Day Magazine.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.