New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport is pushing federal regulators to strengthen rules aimed at stopping illegal robocalls before they reach consumers.

Davenport is co-leading a bipartisan coalition of 49 state and territory attorneys general calling on the Federal Communications Commission to strengthen its “Know Your Upstream Provider” requirements, which govern how telephone companies vet the providers sending call traffic through their networks.

Under the proposed changes, phone companies would be expected to conduct more thorough checks on the providers they do business with, continuously monitor their activity and take additional precautions when dealing with higher-risk customers, including high-volume calling services.

The attorneys general argue that stronger requirements would make it easier to identify companies carrying large volumes of illegal calls and cut scammers off from the legitimate telephone network before those calls reach consumers.

“New Jerseyans are fed up with a constant barrage of unwanted robocalls,” Davenport said, adding that stronger rules would give phone companies greater incentive to conduct proper due diligence before accepting call traffic.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, Americans received approximately 29.6 billion scam robocalls and texts last year and lost nearly $2 billion to scams connected to fraudulent calls and messages.

The latest effort builds on previous multistate actions targeting illegal robocall operations and companies accused of allowing fraudulent call traffic to pass through their networks.

New Jersey is one of the lead states in the latest coalition, alongside Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

NJ Transit announced that free Wi-Fi is now available on more than 1,500 buses across New Jersey as part of a major technology upgrade.

The new onboard equipment is also expected to improve real-time bus tracking and provide more accurate arrival predictions for passengers.

NJ Transit plans to install the technology on nearly 2,000 buses, representing more than 80% of its fleet, by the end of 2026.

Two Toms River Township Public Works employees are being praised for stepping in to comfort and assist a 6-year-old boy after his mother suffered a medical episode while walking him to school.

The incident occurred on September 3, the first day of school, as the mother and her son were walking to East Dover Elementary School. Emergency medical personnel were called to assist the mother, while the young boy was left visibly distressed as first responders tended to her.

Public Works employees Louis Reed and Ed Kempker were nearby in a township truck and quickly stepped in to help. Reed comforted the boy, safely escorted him across the busy intersection at Vaughn Avenue and made sure he arrived at school safely and on time, while Kempker assisted from the truck.

East Dover Elementary School Principal Matthew Gray praised the employees for their compassion and quick thinking, saying their actions transformed what could have been a traumatic morning for the child into an example of community support.

Toms River Mayor Daniel Rodrick also thanked the two employees for their actions, saying the township was fortunate to have them serving the community. The Toms River Regional School District similarly expressed its appreciation for their quick and compassionate response.

The township’s Public Works Department is responsible for numerous municipal services, including roadway maintenance, sanitation and emergency response within Toms River.

A 67-year-old Barnegat Township man has been charged with murder in connection with the death of his wife following a domestic violence incident, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.

Police responded to a home on Windward Drive at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Monday, September 7, where officers found 69-year-old Eileen Garvin deceased on the floor. Her husband, William Garvin, was found seated in a chair with a knife protruding from his chest and was transported to AtlanticCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City, where he remains in stable condition.

Investigators determined that William Garvin was responsible for his wife’s death and that his knife wound was self-inflicted, authorities said. He was charged with murder and served with a complaint-warrant at the hospital. Once released, Garvin will be transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he will remain pending a detention hearing.

The investigation was conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Barnegat Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office.

A Brick Township man was arrested Tuesday morning after police say he fled from a traffic stop near Brick Memorial High School, drove at high speeds through a school zone and nearly hit two crossing guards before leading officers on a foot chase.

According to Brick Township Police, the incident began at approximately 7:00 a.m. on Lanes Mill Road, where an officer conducting traffic enforcement spotted a vehicle stopped on the shoulder while dropping off students. The officer approached the vehicle and instructed the driver, identified as 38-year-old Corey Goodwin of Brick, to move from the shoulder. After noticing Goodwin was not wearing a seatbelt, the officer directed him to pull into the nearby Boland Field parking lot for a traffic stop.

Police say Goodwin initially appeared to comply but suddenly accelerated northbound on Lanes Mill Road. He reportedly crossed into the wrong side of the roadway, passed other vehicles and nearly hit two uniformed school crossing guards who were stopping traffic. Another officer conducting radar enforcement nearby clocked the vehicle traveling at 73 mph.

Goodwin eventually stopped at a residence on Lanes Mill Road and fled on foot, according to police. Officers chased him through several backyards in the Sawmill Road and Creek Road area. Police say he crossed a creek before continuing toward Greenwood Loop Road, where responding officers located and took him into custody.

Goodwin was charged with Eluding, Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer, Hindering Apprehension and Obstructing the Administration of Law. Police also discovered two outstanding warrants for his arrest. He received multiple motor vehicle summonses, including Reckless Driving, Passing in a No-Passing Zone, Failure to Obey Police Directing Traffic and Failure to Stop for a Crossing Guard’s Whistle. He was subsequently lodged in the Ocean County Jail.

The incident comes as Brick Township Police have increased traffic enforcement around local schools, with officers focusing on speeding and other dangerous driving behavior in school zones.

A federal appeals court on Tuesday vacated a key New Jersey permit needed for a proposed $1 billion natural gas pipeline project that would run through the Raritan Bay between New Jersey and New York.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection did not adequately explain how the Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline project would comply with state water-quality standards when the agency approved a key water quality certification last year.

The proposed project, being developed by energy company Williams through its Transcontinental Gas Pipeline subsidiary, would include a roughly 37-mile expansion designed to increase natural gas capacity between Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

In its ruling, the three-judge appeals panel found that NJDEP failed to sufficiently address concerns surrounding dredging in the Raritan Bay and the potential disturbance of contaminants buried in the seabed.

The court’s decision does not permanently block the pipeline project. Instead, the matter has been sent back to NJDEP, which can provide additional analysis, request more information from the developer, issue a revised certification or reach a different decision on the permit.

Williams said it is reviewing the court’s decision and maintains that the project is important for strengthening energy reliability and meeting growing demand in the region.

Environmental groups that challenged the permit welcomed Tuesday’s ruling, arguing that construction could impact water quality, marine habitats and wetlands in parts of New Jersey.

The project has faced years of regulatory and legal challenges. New Jersey previously rejected permits connected to the proposal before state regulators approved the water quality certification in November 2025 and another key permit earlier this year.

New Jersey entrepreneurs will be able to apply beginning Wednesday for grants worth up to $400,000 to help launch new startup businesses in the Garden State.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority will open the third round of its New Jersey Innovation Fellows Program on September 9 at 10:00 a.m.

The program provides qualifying entrepreneurial teams with up to $200,000 in base funding, along with the possibility of receiving another $200,000 in additional awards, bringing the total potential funding to $400,000 per team.

Unlike many traditional business grants, the funding is designed as “income replacement,” allowing entrepreneurs to devote their time to developing and launching their businesses while receiving financial support during the two-year development period.

Participants also receive mentorship and training while building their companies.

Applications will remain open through December 4 at 5:00 p.m. Eligible teams must be looking to establish and grow their startup business in New Jersey.

NJ Transit riders will see a series of upgrades to the agency’s mobile app beginning Wednesday, September 9, as the transit agency rolls out changes aimed at making schedules, service alerts and trip planning easier to use.

The update will introduce a new unified Departures & Schedules section bringing train, bus and light rail information into a more consistent format.

NJ Transit says riders will also receive improved access to active service alerts, enhanced nearby-station and trip-planning features and updates designed to make mobile ticketing more reliable.

The new version will also include improvements to special-event ticketing, accessibility, payments, app performance and overall usability.

The changes follow the recent launch of NJ Transit’s redesigned website and “Navvie,” the agency’s new AI-powered digital assistant that helps riders find trip-planning and travel information.

NJ Transit says feedback from customers helped shape many of the changes being introduced in the updated app.

New Jersey businesses can begin applying today for up to $25 million in state tax credits being auctioned to raise funding for programs aimed at combating hunger and improving food access across the Garden State.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority opened applications Tuesday for its latest Food Desert Relief Tax Credit Auction. The program allows qualifying corporate taxpayers and insurance companies to purchase tax credits that can reduce their 2026 New Jersey tax liability by up to 15%.

Money raised through the auction will be used to support grants, loans, technical assistance and other programs designed to increase access to affordable and nutritious food in communities considered food deserts.

Businesses do not need to operate in the food industry or be located in a designated food desert to participate in the auction.

The NJEDA says previous proceeds from the program have helped fund initiatives including FEED NJ, a $30 million effort supporting new and expanded food-access projects throughout the state.

Applications opened Tuesday, September 8, at 10:00 a.m. and will remain open through October 9 at 5:00 p.m.

New Jersey residents receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will see higher maximum monthly benefit levels beginning October 1, as new federal cost-of-living adjustments take effect.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released its SNAP benefit levels for the 2027 federal fiscal year. The annual adjustment increases the maximum allotment available to households in New Jersey and the other 47 contiguous states, as well as Washington, D.C.

Under the new amounts, the maximum monthly SNAP allotment for a one-person household will increase from $298 to $306, while the maximum for a family of four will rise from $994 to $1,023.

The new maximum monthly amounts beginning October 1 are:

• 1 person: $306, up from $298
• 2 people: $562, up from $546
• 3 people: $808, up from $785
• 4 people: $1,023, up from $994
• 5 people: $1,217, up from $1,183
• 6 people: $1,463, up from $1,421
• 7 people: $1,616, up from $1,571
• 8 people: $1,841, up from $1,789
• Each additional household member: an additional $225, up from $218

The new amounts will remain in effect from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.

The figures represent the maximum benefit available for each household size and do not mean every SNAP recipient will receive the maximum amount. A household’s actual monthly benefit is calculated based on factors including household size, income and allowable deductions.

New Jersey separately maintains a minimum monthly SNAP benefit of $95 for eligible residents. If a recipient’s federally calculated benefit falls below $95, the state currently provides a supplemental payment to bring the monthly benefit to that amount.

New Jersey has been ranked the second-happiest state in America in a newly released 2026 study, finishing behind only Hawaii.

WalletHub compared all 50 states across 30 measures covering emotional and physical well-being, work environment, finances and community conditions. New Jersey earned an overall score of 67.09, placing it ahead of Utah, Idaho and Maryland.

The Garden State ranked first nationwide for overall emotional and physical well-being. The study found that New Jersey has the nation’s lowest adult depression rate, the lowest share of residents reporting traumatic childhood experiences and the highest percentage of residents reporting supportive relationships.

New Jersey also has the second-lowest separation and divorce rate in the country and the second-highest percentage of households earning more than $75,000 annually. The state additionally ranked seventh-lowest for food insecurity.

Hawaii ranked first overall, while Utah placed third. West Virginia finished last among the 50 states.

New Jersey American Water’s Lead Service Line Replacement Program is continuing in Lakewood this week, with crews now canvassing neighborhoods in the northern section of the township.

According to NJ American Water’s qualified contractor, CDM Smith, crews are currently visiting homes within Census Tracts 7152.01, 7153.03, 7154.03 and 7154.04, covering areas generally located between Brook Road and Hope Chapel Road.

The canvassing is aimed at identifying properties that may have lead or galvanized steel water service lines as part of NJ American Water’s ongoing Lead Service Line Replacement Program.

The initiative follows a 2021 New Jersey law requiring water providers to identify and replace lead and galvanized steel service lines by 2031. A service line is the pipe connecting the water main in the street to a home or building and includes portions owned by both the utility and the property owner.

Residents and property owners can identify their service line themselves and submit photos to NJ American Water, or schedule a free in-person inspection at a convenient time. Inspections generally take approximately 15 minutes.

Authorized canvassers may also visit designated homes to assist residents. Representatives will wear clearly marked, high-visibility vests displaying New Jersey American Water and CDM Smith logos and will carry official identification. They will never ask residents for sensitive personal or financial information or documentation.

NJ American Water has also been sending informational materials in multiple languages directly to potentially affected customers explaining the inspection and identification process.

All canvassing, inspections and replacement work are being carried out solely by New Jersey American Water or its authorized contractors, not by Lakewood Township or another government agency. The effort is, however, being coordinated with Lakewood Township to help with public awareness and safety.

Lakewood residents may continue using their water as usual. NJ American Water says its water continues to meet all state and federal water quality standards, including standards related to lead.

Additional information, including an interactive service line inventory map and instructions for identifying service line materials, is available at newjerseyamwater.com/leadfacts. Residents may also email [email protected] or call CDM Smith at 732-590-4700 with questions.

Lakewood Police say there is no known threat to the public following a Tuesday morning police response in the area of Laurel and Clover after authorities received a report of an individual who may have been armed.

At approximately 9:30 a.m., Lakewood Alerts reported that police were investigating reports of a person with a gun in the Clover Street area, prompting schools throughout the surrounding area to be placed on lockdown as a precaution.

According to a statement subsequently released by Lakewood Police, officers responded to the area of Laurel and Clover and began searching for the individual described in the initial report.

As the search was underway, a nearby school was placed on lockdown out of an abundance of caution.

Police said an individual connected to the incident was later located. However, officers did not observe or recover a weapon.

“At this time, there is no known threat to the public and no indication of an ongoing threat in the area,” Lakewood Police said.

Officers are expected to remain in the area while they continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the initial report. Residents may continue to notice an increased police presence as a precaution.

Lakewood Police said additional information will be released as appropriate.

Lakewood Alerts will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

Major construction work is getting underway today, Monday, September 7, on the Delaware Memorial Bridge, bringing significant lane restrictions for motorists traveling into New Jersey.

The Delaware River and Bay Authority says crews are beginning preparations for a major joint replacement project on the New Jersey-bound span. Once the new traffic pattern is established, the two right lanes of the northbound span will remain closed around the clock through November 24.

Crews will replace 46 bridge joints as part of the project. The two left New Jersey-bound lanes will remain open, while an additional barrier-separated, cars-only lane will eventually carry New Jersey-bound traffic on the Delaware-bound span. That bypass will be available only to passenger vehicles headed toward the New Jersey Turnpike or Route 40.

Additional nighttime closures are scheduled this week while crews establish the temporary traffic configuration. Drivers using the bridge should expect possible delays and allow extra travel time throughout the construction period.

New Jersey has received a credit rating upgrade, with Kroll Bond Rating Agency raising the state’s rating from A+ to AA-.

The rating agency cited New Jersey’s track record of making full actuarially required pension contributions, progress in reducing long-term liabilities and improvements in state budget management.

The AA- rating is the highest rating KBRA has given New Jersey since it began rating the state in 2015 and marks the state’s first credit rating upgrade under Governor Mikie Sherrill.

State officials say stronger credit ratings can help New Jersey borrow money at more favorable rates when financing major infrastructure and other long-term projects.

Governor Sherrill said the upgrade reflects recent efforts to address the state’s finances, including maintaining a multibillion-dollar surplus, making a full pension payment and reducing the state’s structural budget deficit.

More than one million New Jersey homeowners and renters are set to have their ANCHOR property tax relief applications filed automatically, with the first payments scheduled to begin going out on a rolling basis beginning September 15.

The state recently mailed ANCHOR Benefit Confirmation Letters to more than 537,000 homeowners and 549,000 renters who are expected to qualify for automatic filing. Residents who received a confirmation letter generally do not need to take any action.

However, anyone whose banking information, mailing address or other information has changed must submit an updated application by September 15. Residents who did not receive a confirmation letter but believe they are eligible can still apply, with the overall filing deadline set for November 2.

Eligible homeowners with 2025 income of $150,000 or less can receive $1,500, while homeowners earning between $150,001 and $250,000 can receive $1,000. Renters can receive $450, while qualifying renters age 65 or older can receive $700. Payments are expected to begin September 15 and generally arrive within 90 days of filing.

Seniors and certain disability benefit recipients use the state’s combined PAS-1 application for ANCHOR, Senior Freeze and Stay NJ benefits, with the same November 2 filing deadline.

Gas prices across New Jersey have climbed sharply, with the statewide average for regular gasoline reaching about $4.27 per gallon on Monday, according to AAA.

That is up from about $4.09 a gallon just one week ago and $3.17 at this time last year. In the Monmouth-Ocean area, which includes the Lakewood area, regular gasoline is averaging approximately $4.29 per gallon, up from $4.10 a week ago.

The national average stands at about $4.15 per gallon. AAA says this Labor Day is setting a new record at the pump, with the national average above $4 per gallon for the first time ever on Labor Day. Continued volatility affecting global oil supplies has helped push crude oil prices higher in recent weeks.

Despite the latest increase, New Jersey prices remain below the state’s all-time record average of $5.06 per gallon, reached in June 2022.

New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell, who also serves as the state’s Secretary of State, is under investigation over allegations of inappropriate behavior toward women and possible ethics violations, including claims involving the purported offering or discussion of state jobs.

The investigation was launched at the request of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration several weeks ago and is being conducted by former New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino and attorneys at Lowenstein Sandler. Caldwell has reportedly retained counsel and has been cooperating with the investigation. No findings of wrongdoing or criminal charges have been announced.

Few details surrounding the specific allegations have been made public.

The governor’s office has stopped short of confirming details of what it has described as a potential personnel matter. Sherrill spokesman Sean Higgins said the governor would take any reports of inappropriate behavior or misconduct “extremely seriously” and expects public officials to hold themselves to the highest standards.

Caldwell’s office has not publicly responded to the allegations.

The controversy has prompted calls from Republican officials for Caldwell to step aside. New Jersey Republican State Committee Chairwoman Christine Giordano Hanlon has called for his resignation, while Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco has called for Caldwell to temporarily step away from his duties while the investigation is underway.

Lakewood Alerts notes that if Caldwell were to resign or otherwise leave the office of lieutenant governor, New Jersey would not hold a special election to replace him, despite some reports suggesting otherwise. Under the New Jersey Constitution, Sherrill would have 45 days to appoint a new lieutenant governor to serve the remainder of the term.

Lakewood Alerts also notes that Caldwell’s position is unusual because he simultaneously serves as Secretary of State. Unlike most heads of state departments, the Secretary of State and Attorney General do not simply serve at the governor’s pleasure. The Constitution does, however, provide a process allowing the governor to remove certain state officers for cause following notice, formal charges and a public hearing, with the officer entitled to judicial review.

Separately, state officers are subject to impeachment. A majority of the New Jersey General Assembly is required to impeach an official, followed by a trial in the state Senate, where a two-thirds vote is required for conviction and removal.

The investigation into Caldwell remains ongoing, and no final determination has been publicly announced.

One person was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash Sunday night at the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Pine Street in Lakewood.

The crash occurred shortly after 8:30 p.m. and prompted a response from emergency personnel, who treated the injured victim at the scene before transporting them for further medical care.

One of the vehicles involved was reportedly stolen, and authorities were also investigating whether one of the drivers may have been under the influence at the time of the crash.

Police remained at the scene as the investigation continued.

Ocean County officials are mourning the passing of Joseph Meyers Jr., the county’s longtime Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, following more than four decades of public service.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced Meyers’ passing, remembering him as a trusted and deeply knowledgeable public servant whose experience benefited the county for many years.

“Over more than four decades of public service, Joe was a trusted source of knowledge and experience,” the Prosecutor’s Office said. “His dedication to public service will long be remembered, and his work will remain a lasting testament to a life devoted to serving the people of Ocean County.”

Officials extended their condolences to Meyers’ family, friends and colleagues, saying he will be deeply missed throughout the Ocean County community.

HaGaon HaRav Elya Brudny attended a Hanochas Even Hapina ceremony marking the beginning of construction on the new campus of Yeshiva Heichal Hatalmud in Lakewood.

The yeshiva, under the leadership of Rosh Yeshiva HaRav Moshe Weiss, is preparing to establish its new campus on Bellevue Road, just off Cross Street.

The ceremony marked a major milestone in the yeshiva’s continued growth and development, as plans move forward for a new home that will provide expanded space for Torah learning and the yeshiva’s growing student body.

HaRav Brudny’s participation added special significance to the occasion as Rabbanim, supporters and members of the yeshiva community gathered to celebrate the start of the project.

The Trump administration is considering a major change to federal child-care assistance that could allow certain married families with a stay-at-home parent, including families in New Jersey, to receive thousands of dollars per child each year.

According to a New York Times report, administration officials are drafting a rule that would allow married couples in certain income brackets to receive assistance from the federal Child Care and Development Fund when one spouse works and the other stays home to care for their children.

Because the program operates nationwide through state-administered child-care assistance systems, families in New Jersey could be among those affected if the proposal is finalized.

The program currently primarily helps low- and moderate-income working families pay outside child-care providers. The subsidy averages approximately $9,000 per child annually, although actual benefits vary by state and family circumstances.

Under the proposal reportedly being considered, a married parent could qualify to receive assistance for caring for his or her own child at home while the other spouse works at least 35 hours per week.

The proposal is reportedly a major priority for Vice President JD Vance, who has advocated for federal family policies that provide greater support to parents who choose to care for their children at home.

The change could be implemented through federal rulemaking without requiring new legislation from Congress. However, the proposal remains in draft form and could still be revised. If approved by the White House, it would first be published for public comment before being finalized and could potentially take effect sometime next year.

The proposal could be particularly significant for New Jersey families with one parent remaining home to raise young children, who generally have not been eligible to receive federal child-care subsidies for care provided by the parent themselves.

Critics have raised concerns that expanding eligibility without increasing the amount of money available could leave fewer funds for working families who currently rely on subsidies to pay daycare and other child-care providers.

The Trump administration has previously said it intends to pursue child-care reforms aimed at increasing affordability, expanding parental choice and providing greater support for stay-at-home parents.

Toms River PBA Local 137 and 137A are congratulating Sergeant Michael Gallipoli and Corporal Carl Basile following their recent retirements from law enforcement after distinguished careers of service to the community and country.

Sergeant Gallipoli began his career in public service with the United States Navy before returning home to Toms River and joining the Toms River Police Department.

During his years with the department, Gallipoli served in several roles, including as a longtime member of the Motor Unit. He was also a familiar participant in the annual Pros vs. Heroes football games and served for many years on the executive boards of both PBA Local 137 and 137A.

Gallipoli was later promoted to Sergeant, and during the final years of his career used his experience to mentor and train younger officers while helping prepare the department’s next generation of supervisors and leaders.

Corporal Basile also began his service in the military, serving in the United States Marine Corps. Following his military service, he joined the New York City Police Department before continuing his law enforcement career with the Toms River Police Department.

During his time in Toms River, Basile distinguished himself as a Firearms Instructor and Cadet Advisor, helping train and guide officers and future members of the department.

“Thank you, Sergeant Gallipoli and Corporal Basile, for your service to our country, our department, and the Township of Toms River,” the PBA said. “You have earned every bit of this next chapter.”

The PBA wished both retirees well as they begin retirement following their many years of dedicated service.

The Lakewood Fire Department is warning motorists about the serious dangers of driving over fire hoses after a recent incident in which a private vehicle drove over an active hose during a fire response, causing the hose to fail and disrupting the water supply to firefighters.

In a fire safety alert issued by the department, officials stressed that hoselines are a critical lifeline for firefighters battling a blaze and protecting lives and property.

“This is our lifeline. Do not drive over it,” the department warned.

According to the department, driving over a fire hose can cause catastrophic damage, interrupt vital firefighting operations and potentially create an even larger emergency. In the recent incident, the damaged hose disrupted water flow and placed firefighters in immediate danger.

The Lakewood Fire Department is reminding motorists that if they encounter a fire hose stretched across a roadway, they should always stop and follow the directions of emergency personnel. Under no circumstances should a vehicle drive over a fire hose.

The Lakewood Police Department on Saturday marked six years since the passing of Patrolman Nicklas Shimonovich #392, remembering a dedicated officer whose service and legacy remain deeply felt within the department and community.

Shimonovich passed away on September 5, 2020. He joined the Lakewood Police Department in March 2018 and was known for his deep pride in being a police officer and his commitment to serving others.

For Shimonovich, law enforcement was more than a career. The department said wearing the badge was a calling and a responsibility that he embraced with pride.

He was also part of a longtime law enforcement family. Shimonovich was the son of Detective Lieutenant R. Shimonovich #271 and Detective Sergeant J. Shimonovich #272, the brother of Patrolman L. Shimonovich #442, and the nephew of Patrolman F. Rivera #294.

“Six years later, we continue to remember Nick — not only for the uniform he wore and the service he gave, but for the person he was and the place he will always hold in the hearts of those who knew and loved him,” the Lakewood Police Department said in a tribute.

The department added that while time continues to pass, Shimonovich’s memory, name and service remain an enduring part of the Lakewood Police family.

“Forever remembered. Forever missed. Never forgotten.”

Patrolman Nicklas Shimonovich #392
End of Watch: September 5, 2020

A federal court has dismissed a Trump Administration lawsuit challenging an executive order issued by New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill that restricts federal immigration officers’ access to nonpublic state property.

Governor Sherrill announced the court’s decision Friday, calling it a victory for her administration’s immigration enforcement policy.

“ICE is not making New Jersey’s communities any safer,” Sherrill said in a statement.

The governor said she signed the executive order to restrict access to nonpublic state property by certain federal immigration officers, adding that the Trump Administration had attempted to block the policy in court.

“Once again, Trump tried to stop us, and once again we won,” Sherrill said.

Sherrill said protecting New Jersey residents remains her top priority and pledged to continue defending the executive order and other policies she says are aimed at keeping communities safe.

“My number one priority will always be to protect New Jerseyans, and I will continue to fight for safe communities for everyone in our state,” she said.

HaGaon HaRav Malkiel Kotler, Rosh Yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, was among a select delegation of leading Rabbonim and Admorim who met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday in a historic gathering ahead of Rosh Hashanah.

HaRav Kotler joined both Satmar Rebbes, the Bobover Rebbe, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe of Monsey, and HaRav Aharon Mendel Twersky, eldest son of the Skverer Rebbe, who represented his father at the meeting.

The Rabbonim met with President Trump in the Oval Office, with HaRav Kotler seated among the senior Torah leaders during the meeting.

The delegation also met with Vice President JD Vance, while Congressman Mike Lawler and Jared Kushner were among those who participated in portions of the White House visit.

The participation of HaRav Kotler carried particular significance for the Lakewood community, with the BMG Rosh Yeshiva representing the world’s largest yeshiva and the broader Lakewood Torah community at the high-level gathering.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and local law enforcement agencies across the county will conduct a high-visibility traffic enforcement detail on Friday, September 4, as part of New Jersey’s statewide Goal: Zero initiative aimed at reducing fatal and serious crashes.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Thursday that the coordinated enforcement effort will take place throughout the day and night Friday, ahead of the busy Labor Day weekend.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, 357 people have lost their lives on New Jersey roadways so far in 2026, including 26 fatalities in Ocean County.

Officials said the Friday before Labor Day traditionally marks the beginning of a particularly high-risk travel period, with heavier traffic, increased pedestrian activity, holiday celebrations and a greater concern over impaired driving. The enforcement detail also comes at the conclusion of the summer travel season and the so-called “106 Deadliest Days” between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

“Labor Day weekend is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the summer, and with more vehicles and pedestrians on our roads, comes an increased risk of serious crashes,” Billhimer said. “We remind everyone that safe driving is a shared responsibility. Slow down, stay focused, never drive impaired, and make the choices that will get you and everyone else home safely.”

Billhimer said the ultimate goal of the initiative is fewer crashes, fewer serious injuries and zero roadway fatalities across New Jersey.

The Goal: Zero campaign was launched in 2024 following an initiative spearheaded by Holmdel Township Patrolman Matt Menosky, initially bringing together 36 municipalities to target dangerous driving behaviors. Its bright green logo represents high visibility and pedestrian and school safety, while a black mourning band honors those who have lost their lives in traffic crashes.

The Lakewood Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution Thursday evening renaming Division Street in Downtown Lakewood as “Chief Richard C. Wallace Way,” honoring longtime Lakewood Fire Department Chief Richard C. “Dick” Wallace, who passed away in July.

The designation holds special significance, as Lakewood Fire Station 1, home to Engine Company No. 1, is located at the intersection of Division Street and Monmouth Avenue. It was there that Wallace, a U.S. Air Force veteran, began his service with the Lakewood Fire Department in 1963, launching what would become more than six decades of dedication to the community.

Wallace began as a volunteer firefighter before becoming one of the department’s first career firefighters. He later rose through the ranks and served as Chief of Department from 1988 through 1990, while remaining an active member of the Lakewood Fire Department until his passing.

He was also a Life Member of the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association and the Lakewood Fireman’s Exempt Association. In addition, Wallace served with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service from 1963 until 2011, eventually rising to the position of District Warden.

“It is the Committee’s honor to dedicate a street as a permanent tribute to Chief Wallace,” Committeeman and Emergency Services Liaison Meir Lichtenstein said. “I’ve had the privilege to see Chief Wallace in action on various occasions and saw firsthand his genuine dedication to Lakewood and saving lives.”

“True to his character, Chief Wallace chose to remain an active member of Lakewood’s first responder community for life, and we all owe him an immense debt of gratitude for his service,” Lichtenstein added.

The newly designated Chief Richard C. Wallace Way will serve as a permanent tribute to Wallace’s decades of service and his lasting impact on the Lakewood Fire Department and the broader community.

Emergency personnel were  on the scene Thursday night of a serious crash at Central Avenue and South Lake Drive, where an elderly woman was trapped inside the mangled vehicle.

The woman was extricated from the vehicle and was reportedly unconscious and in unstable condition.

Mir Yerushalayim held a special Young Alumni Evening on Wednesday night at Westwood in Toms River, bringing together talmidim and alumni for an evening with the Rosh Hayeshiva shlita.

The gathering was held as part of the yeshiva’s “Our Mir, My Part” initiative, aimed at strengthening the connection between former talmidim and the yeshiva and encouraging alumni to become active partners in supporting its continued growth.

The evening was hosted by Nachum Rokeach and Shalom Stein, with Yudi Herzberg featured as part of the “From Talmidim to Partners” initiative, alongside dozens of co-hosts and supporters.

Attendees had the opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni, hear from the Rosh Hayeshiva shlita, and show their continued support for Mir Yerushalayim and its Torah institutions.

Governor Mikie Sherrill and 17 unions representing New Jersey state employees announced an agreement Wednesday that will prevent state workers from facing higher health benefit contribution rates in 2027 while launching a broader effort to reform the state’s public employee health benefits system.

Under the agreement, increases in employee health benefit contributions will be waived for 2027. At the same time, the Sherrill administration and participating unions will begin developing longer-term reforms aimed at controlling rising health care costs and improving the financial stability of the State Health Benefits Program.

New Jersey’s public employee health benefits system provides coverage to approximately 690,000 members through state employee, local government and education plans. State officials say rising health care and prescription drug costs, along with structural problems within the system, have placed increasing financial pressure on employees, government employers and taxpayers.

“From Day One, I have been laser focused on making New Jersey more affordable, and that means tackling hard problems. The rising cost of health care is no exception,” Sherrill said.

The governor said the agreement will bring unions, lawmakers, health care experts and other stakeholders together to address rising costs while preserving high-quality benefits.

As part of the agreement, the state will establish a working group by October 1 that will include representatives from the administration and labor unions, along with other stakeholders. The group could also include health plan administrators, insurance carriers, health care providers and independent experts.

The working group will examine potential changes involving vendor contracts, claims reviews, eligibility verification, provider networks, premiums and employee contribution structures, benefit design, participation requirements, governance and data transparency. Its recommendations will ultimately be presented to the governor.

“This is a problem we must address now,” Chief Operating Officer Kellie Doucette said. “The program’s financial instability affects public employees, employers and taxpayers in communities across New Jersey every day.”

Union leaders welcomed the agreement, emphasizing that it protects employees from additional costs next year while giving organized labor a role in developing longer-term changes.

Dennis Trainor, vice president of CWA District 1, said the agreement “protects our state workers from increased health benefit contributions in 2027 and gives labor a real seat at the table on the system’s actual cost drivers.”

Other unions participating in the agreement similarly said the state needs structural reforms rather than continuing to address rising health care expenses by increasing costs for public employees.

The administration said the goal of the new reform effort is to maintain quality health coverage while creating a system that is more affordable and financially sustainable for employees, government employers and New Jersey taxpayers.

A bochur was seriously injured at approximately 6:20 p.m. Wednesday evening after being struck by a vehicle while riding a bicycle on Henry Street, just off Route 9 in Lakewood.

Lakewood Hatzolah responded to the scene and found the victim unconscious and unresponsive, though he was breathing. He was treated at the scene before being transported by Hatzolah to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for further treatment.

The Henry Street incident was one of three separate pedestrian-related accidents reported across Lakewood Wednesday evening. Additional incidents were reported in the Westgate area and at Second Street and Park Avenue.

Lakewood Alerts will publish a name for Tehillim for the injured bochur as soon as it becomes available to us.

A new Chassidish girls’ elementary school, Bnos Melachim, is opening in Lakewood for the new school year under the leadership of the Lelover Rebbe of Boro Park.

The school, located on Chestnut Street, is preparing to welcome its first classes of students as it begins its inaugural year.

Despite being a brand-new school, enrollment has already reached capacity, with Bnos Melachim fully booked for the upcoming school year.

The opening adds another option for Lakewood’s growing Chassidish community as the demand for local mosdos continues to expand.

A Lakehurst man has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in connection with a 2025 crash in Toms River that killed a construction worker, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.

Douglas Smith, 52, pleaded guilty on August 31 before Superior Court Judge Kenneth T. Palmer. Prosecutors said they will seek a 10-year New Jersey State Prison sentence when Smith is sentenced on October 23. The sentence would be subject to the No Early Release Act.

The crash occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m. on July 31, 2025, near Lakewood Road and Raymond Avenue. Toms River Police responding to reports of a pedestrian struck found 50-year-old Allen Adams of Lumberton Township lying in the roadway with serious injuries. He was transported to Community Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators determined that Adams was working in a construction zone on Lakewood Road, where machinery was operating with flashing amber warning lights, when he was hit by a vehicle driven northbound by Smith.

Police located Smith’s vehicle a short distance north of the crash scene. Authorities said Smith showed signs of impairment and was initially charged with DWI and reckless driving.

A court-authorized blood draw later showed Smith had a blood alcohol concentration of .151, nearly twice New Jersey’s legal limit of .08. Prosecutors said cocaine, fentanyl and methadone were also detected in his system.

Smith was subsequently charged with vehicular homicide on August 28, 2025. He was arrested on September 3 at a Toms River residence by members of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and Toms River Police Department.

Smith has remained detained in the Ocean County Jail since his arrest.

Rabbanim from Jackson 21 gathered Tuesday night at the home of BMG Rosh Yeshiva HaRav Malkiel Kotler Shlita for a meeting ahead of next week’s Adirei HaTorah event.

The Lakewood Police Department is congratulating Patrolman Anthony Caraballo, badge #298, on his retirement following years of dedicated service to the Lakewood community.

In a retirement tribute, the department thanked Caraballo for his commitment, professionalism, and the countless hours he devoted to serving and protecting local residents.

The department wished Caraballo happiness, good health, and relaxation as he begins his next chapter, along with more time to spend with loved ones and enjoy his interests.

“Thank you for your service, Patrolman #298, and congratulations on your retirement!” the department said.

Roshei mosdos of Lakewood’s girls schools have announced an agreement postponing the start of registration until Rosh Chodesh Shevat, saying the change is intended to ease the prolonged uncertainty and stress families face while seeking placements for their daughters.

The agreement – led by BMG roshei yeshiva Harav Yisroel Neuman, Harav Malkiel Kotler, Harav Yeruchem Olshin, and Harav Dovid Schustal – follows lengthy and detailed discussions with local rabbanim, askanim, school administrators, and parents.

For years, registration had opened immediately after Sukkos. That early start has left some families waiting anxiously for months before learning whether their daughters have been accepted.

Under the new policy, registration will only begin on Rosh Chodesh Shevat, and any agreement or acceptance of a girl into a school made before that date will have no validity.

An exception will allow new schools scheduled to open in the next school year (2027-28) to begin registration on the 15th of Teves because new mosdos need additional time to organize their classes, as they lack the infrastructure already in place at established schools.

The roshei mosdos say the change will benefit parents, schools, and, above all, the girls themselves.

A 19-year-old Freehold man has pleaded guilty to attempted murder and other charges stemming from a Thanksgiving night stabbing at a Jackson Township apartment complex and a police pursuit the following day, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.

As Lakewood Alerts reported at the time, Jaden Thompson was arrested following the November 27, 2025 stabbing at the Paragon Apartments on Larsen Road.

Thompson pleaded guilty on Monday, August 31, before Superior Court Judge Kenneth T. Palmer to Attempted Murder, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Eluding.

Jackson Township Police responding to the apartment complex found a woman suffering from a stab wound to the abdomen. A 19-month-old infant was also found in the area where the stabbing occurred but was not injured.

The woman was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where she was treated and later released.

Investigators determined that Thompson was responsible for the stabbing and had fled the area in a black Hyundai Sonata. He was charged later that day, and his information was entered into the National Crime Information Center database.

The following day, November 28, 2025, Edison Township Police located the vehicle Thompson was using. When officers attempted to stop him, authorities said Thompson recklessly sped away before crashing the vehicle.

Thompson then attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended nearby. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail on November 29, 2025, and has remained detained there since.

At Thompson’s sentencing, scheduled for October 23, prosecutors will seek a 10-year New Jersey State Prison sentence on the attempted murder charge, subject to the No Early Release Act. The State will also seek five-year prison terms on both the child endangerment and eluding charges.

All three sentences are expected to run concurrently.

Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Kaitlyn Burke is handling the case for the State.

Prosecutor Billhimer credited the Jackson Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit and K-9 Unit, Edison Township Police Department, Carteret Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service for their work in the investigation.

Two women charged in connection with the devastating August 28 crash in Jackson Township that claimed the life of baby Yitzchok Rosenberg Z”L will remain behind bars while their cases proceed, authorities announced Tuesday.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said Superior Court Judge Kimarie Rahill ordered on September 1 that 20-year-old Maria Cobon-Guzman of Trenton and 22-year-old Ariadna Lazaro-Flores of Toms River remain detained in the Ocean County Jail pending trial.

As previously reported by Lakewood Alerts, Cobon-Guzman was charged with Manslaughter, Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Ever Having Possessed or Been Issued a Valid Driver’s License While Involved in a Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash, and two counts of Assault by Auto following the August 28 crash.

The collision tragically claimed the life of baby Yitzchok Rosenberg Z”L and left his mother and another child injured.

Lazaro-Flores, who was also charged in connection with the case, faces a charge of Knowingly Engaging in Conduct Creating a Substantial Risk of Death to Another. Judge Rahill similarly ordered her detained in the Ocean County Jail.

The latest court action comes after Lakewood Alerts reported that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement moved to deport the illegal immigrants charged in connection with the crash.

The detention hearings were handled by Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Heisler.

Both women will now remain in custody as the criminal cases against them move forward.

The charges are accusations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Governor Mikie Sherrill on Tuesday signed new legislation aimed at making small-scale solar energy more accessible to New Jersey residents, including renters and apartment dwellers who may not have access to traditional rooftop solar systems.

The Garden State Balcony Solar Act, S2368/A4836, removes a number of utility and permitting requirements for qualifying portable solar systems that can be plugged directly into a standard household outlet.

Under the new law, plug-in solar devices of up to 1,200 watts will be exempt from certain utility interconnection and metering requirements, including some fees, approvals and equipment mandates.

Balcony solar systems generally include solar panels, a microinverter and an adapter that connects to a standard 120-volt outlet. Electricity generated by the panels feeds directly into the home’s electrical system, helping offset electricity usage and potentially reducing monthly utility costs.

The legislation also limits the ability of landlords, homeowner associations and similar entities to broadly prohibit the devices. Municipalities will also be barred from banning qualifying systems or requiring local permits for their use.

“Balcony solar is a practical, easy-to-use tool that can help families save money while allowing more people to participate in our clean energy future,” Sherrill said, adding that the measure is intended to expand access to affordable solar while reducing regulatory barriers.

Supporters of the legislation say the new law could particularly benefit renters, apartment residents and homeowners who are unable or unwilling to install a full rooftop solar system.

The governor’s office said the legislation is part of a broader effort to expand energy generation and reduce electricity costs throughout the state. The administration has also moved to expand community solar, approve additional solar and battery-storage projects and accelerate the deployment of new grid technologies.

State officials and clean-energy advocates praised the new law, saying plug-in solar provides residents with another option to generate electricity at home without the cost and complexity of a traditional solar installation.

Keren Olam Hachinuch (KOH), the national initiative created to address the growing financial pressures facing Torah mosdos and families, is moving into its next phase with the launch of a new scholarship system designed to provide meaningful tuition relief directly to families.

As our parent company, YWN, reported when the initiative launched in July, KOH was established with a business-minded, Klal Yisroel-wide approach to the tuition crisis: gathering accurate financial information from mosdos, identifying the true needs of schools and families, and developing practical solutions based on real data.

In a new statement, KOH said that while tremendous efforts are already being made by Rabbanim, askanim, school leaders, parents and baalei tzedakah to support Torah chinuch across America, rising operating costs, growing enrollment and increasing tuition burdens continue to place significant pressure on both families and mosdos.

The organization says it is working with mosdos to better understand enrollment, tuition, operating costs and budget gaps, with the goal of creating new revenue opportunities and directing communal resources where they can have the greatest impact.

A central part of that effort will be KOH’s new scholarship system. According to the organization, communal funds will be raised and directed toward tuition through participating mosdos, providing assistance to hardworking families across income levels who are struggling to make their tuition obligations work.

Families can already submit preliminary information through KOH’s website. KOH notes that this is not yet a formal scholarship application, and those who submit their information will be notified once formal applications become available.

KOH is also inviting parents, educators, askanim, business leaders and community members to take part in the effort, share ideas and help build a broader communal solution to the growing tuition burden.

“We have already seen what Klal Yisroel can accomplish when we come together for Torah in Eretz Yisroel,” KOH said in its statement. “If we can do it there, we can do it here too.”

To get involved, pre-apply for a scholarship, or donate, visit KOH.org.

Federal immigration authorities have lodged detainers against both women charged in the horrific Jackson Township crash that claimed the life of 9-month-old Yitzchok Rosenberg z”l, as new details emerge about their immigration status.

Maria CobonGuzman, 20, of Trenton, the woman accused of driving the vehicle that struck the infant, his mother and his 5-year-old sister outside NPGS on West County Line Road, is a Guatemalan citizen, according to Ocean County Jail records. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has now lodged an immigration detainer against her.

A second ICE detainer was lodged against Ariadna Lazaro-Flores, 22, of Toms River, a Mexican citizen who authorities say knowingly allowed CobonGuzman to operate the vehicle despite being aware that she had never possessed a valid driver’s license.

As Lakewood Alerts previously reported, the horrific crash occurred at approximately 11:55 a.m. Friday in the parking lot of the Jackson NPGS.

Prosecutors say CobonGuzman was operating a Ford Fusion when she struck a mother and the baby carriage carrying her two children. All three victims were rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where 9-month-old Yitzchok was tragically pronounced niftar. His mother suffered a fractured leg, while his 5-year-old sister suffered scrapes, according to court records cited by NJ.com.

Investigators subsequently determined that CobonGuzman had never possessed a valid driver’s license in New Jersey — or in any other state.

She has been charged with manslaughter, operating a motor vehicle without ever having possessed or been issued a valid driver’s license while involved in a fatal crash, and two counts of assault by auto.

Lazaro-Flores has been charged with knowingly engaging in conduct creating a substantial risk of death to another. Prosecutors allege that she knew CobonGuzman had no license but nevertheless permitted her to drive the vehicle.

Both women were arrested following the crash and are being held at the Ocean County Jail pending detention proceedings.

An ICE detainer requests that authorities notify federal immigration officials before an individual is released and, under applicable circumstances, allows federal authorities time to assume custody for immigration enforcement proceedings.

The Walmart on Route 37 West in Toms River has received approval for a major expansion that will significantly increase the size of the store and expand its grocery and online-order operations.

The Toms River Township Planning Board granted preliminary and final site plan approval for a roughly 48,190-square-foot addition to the existing Walmart at 950 Route 37 West. The current store spans approximately 131,700 square feet, meaning the project will increase the building’s footprint by more than one-third.

Plans call for additional grocery space as well as a dedicated staging area for Walmart’s online pickup and delivery operations. The project also includes improvements to the parking lot, designated online-order pickup areas, new signage and other upgrades to the property.

As part of the approval, Walmart received several zoning variances related to parking, building coverage, signage, setbacks and landscaping.

State filings previously described additional site work including new loading docks, stormwater management improvements, pavement work and utility upgrades.

No construction start date or anticipated completion date has been announced.

The Lakewood Fire Department this week officially took delivery of a new 2026 Seagrave 75-foot AerialScope Tower Ladder, marking a major addition to the department’s firefighting fleet.

The new apparatus was ordered in 2022 and represents a significant investment in the department’s emergency response capabilities and public safety.

Lakewood Fire Chief Jonathan Yahr and Board of Fire Commissioners Chairman Yakov Steinberg were on hand to formally accept delivery of the new truck.

Before entering service, the apparatus will be sent to a detail and upfit facility, where graphics will be installed and the truck will be outfitted with the equipment needed for operations.

Once the work is completed, the new tower ladder will officially be placed into service with the Lakewood Fire Department, expanding the department’s capabilities in responding to fires and other emergencies throughout the Lakewood area.

New Jersey is set to receive hundreds of millions of dollars as part of a historic multistate settlement with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, while State Assemblyman Alex Sauickie is calling for a significant portion of the money to be directed toward underfunded school districts.

Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced that Meta agreed to a settlement worth up to $17.1 billion resolving claims that the company used addictive platform features that harmed children and teenagers.

New Jersey, which helped lead the multistate litigation, is guaranteed to receive at least $525 million and could ultimately receive more than $752 million under the agreement.

State Assemblyman Alex Sauickie, who represents New Jersey’s 12th Legislative District, is now urging state officials to use roughly $200 million of the settlement money to immediately assist the state’s most underfunded school districts.

Sauickie is also proposing that additional settlement proceeds be used to establish a multi-year school funding commitment aimed at providing greater financial stability to districts that remain below the state’s funding adequacy levels.

He said many school districts have been forced to raise property taxes while cutting teachers, sports, arts programs and other services as they struggle with inadequate state funding and rising costs.

The Meta settlement will also require major changes to Facebook and Instagram for younger users, including daily usage limits, overnight restrictions, reduced notifications during school hours, stronger age-verification measures and expanded parental controls.

Meta will also be required to strengthen protections against bullying and harmful content and will be subject to independent audits to ensure compliance with the agreement.

The settlement resolves claims brought by dozens of states and U.S. territories accusing Meta of designing addictive features, exposing young users to mental health risks and misleading the public about the safety of its platforms.

Criminal charges have been filed following the horrific Erev Shabbos crash outside NPGS in Jackson that claimed the life of nine-month-old Yitzchok Rosenberg z”l and left his mother and five-year-old sister hospitalized.

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Maria CobonGuzman, 20, of Trenton, has been charged with manslaughter, two counts of assault by auto, and operating a motor vehicle without ever having possessed or been issued a valid driver’s license while involved in a fatal crash.

In a stunning detail revealed by investigators, authorities say CobonGuzman had never possessed a valid driver’s license — in New Jersey or any other state.

A second woman, Ariadna Lazaro-Flores, 22, of Toms River, was also arrested and charged with knowingly engaging in conduct creating a substantial risk of death to another. Prosecutors allege that Lazaro-Flores knew CobonGuzman had never been licensed to drive but nevertheless allowed her to operate the vehicle.

The tragedy unfolded at approximately 11:55 a.m. Friday in the parking lot of NPGS on West County Line Road.

According to investigators, CobonGuzman was behind the wheel of a Ford Fusion when she struck a Jewish mother and the baby carriage carrying her two children — her five-year-old daughter and nine-month-old son.

Central Jersey Hatzolah and numerous other emergency personnel rushed to the scene, and a Mass Casualty Incident was declared due to the severity of the incident. All three victims were rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.

Tragically, Yitzchok Rosenberg z”l could not be saved and was pronounced niftar at the hospital.

His mother and five-year-old sister remain hospitalized in stable condition, according to prosecutors. The public is asked to continue davening for Golda Chana bas Leah Shaindel and Rochel bas Golda Chana for a complete refuah sheleimah.

CobonGuzman and Lazaro-Flores were both taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where they are being held pending detention hearings.

The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad and High Tech Crime Squad, Jackson Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.

A Jackson Township woman has been sentenced to seven years in New Jersey State Prison for shooting a 79-year-old man at a home in Jackson last year, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.

Marian Rojas, 34, was sentenced Friday following her guilty plea to aggravated assault in connection with the October 24, 2025 shooting.

Under the No Early Release Act, Rojas will be required to serve at least 85 percent of her seven-year sentence before becoming eligible for parole. She pleaded guilty to the charge on June 15, 2026.

Jackson Township Police responded at approximately 9:15 p.m. on October 24 to a residence on Jackson Pines Road for a report of a gunshot victim.

Officers found a 79-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to his shoulder. He was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he was treated for minor injuries and later released.

Investigators determined that Rojas had shot the victim and fled the scene, prosecutors said. Authorities broadcast a description of Rojas and her vehicle to surrounding police departments.

Approximately 45 minutes later, Manchester Township Police stopped a vehicle matching the description and found Rojas behind the wheel. She was taken into custody without incident and has remained held in the Ocean County Jail since her arrest.

Prosecutor Billhimer said the victim’s desire to show compassion and forgiveness toward Rojas was a significant factor in the resolution of the case.

Two California residents have been sentenced to seven years in New Jersey State Prison for their roles in an armed home burglary in Point Pleasant Borough, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.

Jaheim Wilson, 24, and Oleyah Brown, 22, both of Stockton, California, were sentenced Friday in connection with the August 7, 2025 burglary of a home on Barton Avenue.

Wilson was sentenced to seven years in state prison for burglary and must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole under the No Early Release Act. He also received a concurrent five-year sentence, including 42 months of parole ineligibility, for unlawful possession of a weapon.

Brown was also sentenced to seven years in state prison for burglary, subject to the No Early Release Act.

Authorities said Point Pleasant Borough Police responded to the Barton Avenue home at approximately 1:38 p.m. after receiving a report of a home invasion in which a gunshot had been fired.

Investigators determined that Wilson, armed with a handgun, and Brown kicked open the rear door of the residence while the homeowner was inside. The pair burglarized the home and stole personal property before Wilson fired a single gunshot into the air and both fled the area, prosecutors said.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and Point Pleasant Borough Police identified Wilson and Brown as the suspects. Detectives located them later that day in Toms River, where they were taken into custody without incident.

Both have remained held in the Ocean County Jail since their arrests and pleaded guilty to the charges on June 15, 2026.

A Manchester Township nurse has admitted to assaulting and neglecting an elderly nursing home resident at a rehabilitation center in Ocean County, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced.

Lisa L. Erikson, 57, pleaded guilty in Ocean County Superior Court to second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and third-degree neglect of an elderly adult.

According to prosecutors, Erikson was working as a licensed practical nurse at a rehabilitation and nursing center in Whiting on March 19, 2025, when she assaulted an elderly resident who suffered from dementia, depression, and anxiety.

Authorities said Erikson retrieved her personal pepper spray, approached the resident and sprayed him at close range as he attempted to shield himself. She then allegedly sprayed him again before leaving him on the floor unattended for several minutes.

The resident eventually crawled to his feet and entered another resident’s room. Erikson and another individual then forcibly removed him, placed him back inside his own room, and closed the door without providing medical assistance, prosecutors said.

Police and EMS later responded to the facility, treated the resident, and transported him to a hospital.

As part of her guilty plea, Erikson admitted that she was not authorized to use the pepper spray and that she left the resident without care despite having a duty to assist him.

Under the plea agreement, Erikson will permanently forfeit her nursing license. Prosecutors will recommend that she serve 364 days in the Ocean County Jail as a condition of probation.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 13, 2026.

Lakewood Township has completed two major infrastructure projects aimed at improving traffic flow, drainage and roadway safety across the township.

Along Pine Street, New Jersey Natural Gas and New Jersey American Water replaced aging underground gas and water lines with higher-capacity infrastructure. Following the utility work, Pine Street was repaved and restriped between Route 9 and New Hampshire Avenue, with new lane markings, turning lanes and crosswalks. An additional traffic lane was also added between Avenue of the States and Washington Avenue to help improve traffic flow.

Meanwhile, the extensive Arboretum Parkway project is now nearly complete, with only minor landscaping work remaining. Construction began in late 2025 and stretches from 14th Street through Teaberry Court. The project included a complete overhaul of the underground drainage system to increase capacity during heavy rainfall, followed by repaving, restriping and landscaping improvements throughout the area.

Township officials said a significant portion of the work was completed during the summer, when traffic volumes were lighter, helping reduce disruptions. Progress was also made on several other infrastructure projects around Lakewood.

“Nobody likes road construction, but these utility and infrastructure upgrades are precisely what Lakewood needs in the 21st century,” Deputy Mayor Menashe Miller said. Miller also called on JCP&L to make similar upgrades to its electrical infrastructure.

A Brick Township man has been indicted in connection with the drug overdose death of a 27-year-old woman earlier this year, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.

Roderick Seward, 31, of Brick Township, was indicted by an Ocean County Grand Jury on August 26 on charges of Strict Liability Drug Induced Death, Distribution of Cocaine, and Possession of Cocaine.

The charges stem from the January 26 death of a woman at a Brick Township residence. Police responded to the home at approximately 9:10 a.m. following a report of an unresponsive female and found the victim deceased from an apparent drug overdose.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Brick Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office determined that Seward had supplied cocaine to the victim.

Authorities said toxicology testing later confirmed cocaine in the woman’s system. The Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the cocaine was the cause of her death.

Seward was charged on June 17 and surrendered to Brick Township Police Headquarters that day. He was subsequently transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has remained lodged.

The investigation was conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Narcotics Strike Force, Brick Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office.

An 11-year-old girl was tragically killed and an 11-year-old boy was injured in a crash involving an electric dirt bike and a pickup truck in Berkeley Township on Wednesday afternoon.

According to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, Berkeley Township Police responded at approximately 12:45 p.m. to the area of Moorage Avenue and Sherman Avenue following reports of a crash.

Investigators determined that the electric dirt bike, operated by the 11-year-old boy with the 11-year-old girl riding as a passenger, was traveling northbound on Sherman Avenue when it failed to stop at a posted stop sign and entered the intersection. The dirt bike then hit the driver’s side door of a Ford F-250 traveling westbound on Moorage Avenue.

The boy was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, where he was treated for his injuries and later released. The girl was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where she was tragically pronounced deceased from injuries sustained in the crash.

The driver of the pickup truck remained at the scene, had a valid driver’s license and showed no signs of impairment, authorities said.

The crash remains under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Berkeley Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit.

A horrifying tragedy unfolded Friday in Jackson, New Jersey, where an 8-month-old baby was R”L niftar after a mother and her two children were struck by a vehicle outside NPGS.

Central Jersey Hatzolah and other emergency personnel rushed to the scene after receiving reports of multiple pedestrians struck. Due to the severity of the incident and number of victims, a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) was declared.

The three victims — a mother and her two children — were rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center. Tragically, despite desperate efforts to save the infant, the 8-month-old baby was niftar.

The Niftar has been identified as Yitzchok (ben Pinchos) Rosenberg, 8 months old, from Jackson. The Levaya is expected to be held today before Shabbos. 

Initial information indicates that the incident occurred when a woman pulling out in a vehicle struck the family.

The mother and her other child remain hospitalized and are in need of tefillos.

The public is asked to please daven for Rochel bas Golda Chana and Golda Chana bas Leah Shaindel.

Additional details regarding the horrific incident and the conditions of the injured will be published as they become available.

Baruch Dayan Ha’Emes.

A mother and her two children were seriously injured Friday morning after they were struck by a vehicle outside NPGS in Jackson, prompting a major emergency response.

Central Jersey Hatzolah and other emergency personnel rushed to the scene after a woman who was pulling out in a vehicle struck the mother and her two children.

Due to the number and severity of the patients, a Mass Casualty Incident, or MCI, was declared, allowing emergency responders to coordinate additional resources for the multiple victims.

All three patients were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center. One of the victims was reported to have been in traumatic arrest, while another was reported in serious condition.

The tzibur is asked to say Tehillim and daven for the mother, Golda Chana bas Leah Shaindel, and her two children, Yitzchok ben Golda Chana and Rochel bas Golda Chana.

Lakewood Alerts will continue following this developing story and provide additional updates as more information becomes available.

Emergency personnel responded Thursday evening to a motor vehicle accident involving an overturned vehicle at the intersection of Albert Avenue and Towers Street in Lakewood.

Authorities were working at the scene as the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash continued.

Swastikas were discovered painted in the children’s play area at Governors Park in the Coventry neighborhood of Lakewood on Thursday.

The disturbing graffiti was found inside the park, prompting concern among area residents over the apparent antisemitic vandalism.

Additional details surrounding the incident, including when the graffiti was painted and whether a suspect has been identified, were not immediately available.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

A road rage incident in Lakewood escalated dramatically Thursday morning when one of the drivers allegedly pulled out a gun, culminating in a crash involving both vehicles and the arrest of both drivers.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:00 a.m. on Cross Street.

According to preliminary information, an altercation developed between two motorists before one of the drivers allegedly brandished a firearm. The confrontation continued and ultimately resulted in the two vehicles crashing on Cross Street.

Lakewood Police responded to the scene and took both drivers into custody.

Both individuals were arrested on weapons possession charges, while the second driver was additionally charged with aggravated assault.

Additional details regarding what sparked the confrontation and the precise circumstances leading up to the crash were not immediately available.

The Lakewood Board of Education is moving to eliminate courtesy busing for public-school students who do not qualify for state-mandated transportation, marking another major development in the transportation crisis that has gripped Lakewood just days before the start of the new school year.

The move comes amid intense scrutiny of Lakewood’s transportation system following the loss of millions of dollars in municipal funding and the resulting upheaval over busing for thousands of non-mandated yeshiva and other nonpublic-school students.

Under New Jersey law, transportation is generally mandated for elementary students who live more than two miles from school and high-school students who live more than 2.5 miles away. Students living closer are considered non-mandated, and transportation provided to them is commonly referred to as courtesy busing.

Until now, Lakewood public-school students who fell below those mileage thresholds could receive courtesy transportation without their families facing the type of per-child charges imposed on nonpublic-school families.

That disparity became a major issue over the past week after the Lakewood Student Transportation Authority initially announced that non-mandated nonpublic-school families would have to pay $945 per child for transportation during the 2026-27 school year, up from the previously announced $385.

Following days of intensive negotiations involving the LSTA, Igud Hamosdos, elected officials and askanim, the additional charge was subsequently reduced to $290 per student, allowing thousands of families to opt back into the transportation system.

But the broader financial crisis remains unresolved.

Lakewood Township officials have said they were forced to withdraw approximately $2.7 million in support for the transportation system after the state significantly reduced municipal aid and the State Local Finance Board rejected Lakewood’s request to raise an additional $12.9 million above New Jersey’s property-tax cap.

The decision to now cut courtesy busing for non-mandated public-school students would represent a significant change to the district’s transportation policy and would place public-school students living within the statutory mileage limits in a similar position to other students who are not legally entitled to taxpayer-funded transportation.

The latest development also comes as questions continue to swirl over how Lakewood’s enormous and unusually complex school transportation system will be funded going forward.

Lakewood transports tens of thousands of children each day across public and nonpublic schools, making its transportation operation unlike virtually any other municipality in New Jersey.

While the last-minute reduction in the nonpublic-school busing charge has provided immediate relief to thousands of Lakewood families, officials and askanim are continuing to seek a long-term solution that can prevent the community from facing another transportation funding crisis next year.

Lakewood Alerts regrets to inform you of the Petira of Mrs. Chanie Jacobs A”H, wife of Rav Chaim Jacobs shlita, a Rebbe in Yeshiva Kamenitz and a longtime resident of the Forest Avenue area in Lakewood.

The Levaya will take place today at 6:30 PM at the Lakewood Chapel, followed by Kevurah in Lakewood.

Yehi zichrah baruch.

Lakewood Alerts regrets to inform you of the sudden Petira of Rebbetzin Frieda Fried A”H, wife of Harav Psachya Fried Shlita, who was suddenly Niftar at her home in Lakewood this afternoon.

Hatzolah rushed to the home and worked to save her life, but she was sadly Niftar. She was in her seventies.

The Levaya will take place today, Wednesday, at 5:00 PM at the Lakewood Chapel, followed by Kevurah in Eretz Yisroel.

Baruch Dayan HaEmes…..

The Lakewood Fire Department is strongly condemning a racially derogatory social media comment made by an individual who previously served with the department, stressing that the former member has had no affiliation with the agency for several years.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Lakewood Fire Chief Jonathan T. Yahr called the comment “offensive, despicable, inappropriate,” and said the language expressed is completely inconsistent with the values and standards of the Lakewood Fire Department.

According to Chief Yahr, the individual responsible for the post has not been affiliated with or involved in the Lakewood Fire Department since relocating to Florida in 2020. While the individual may continue to reference a former department position on social media, Yahr emphasized that he currently holds no position with the department, has no authority to speak on its behalf, and that his personal statements should not be attributed to the department or its members.

“The Lakewood Fire Department serves every member of our community without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, background, or any other distinction,” Yahr said, adding that racist stereotypes and demeaning commentary have no place in the fire service.

Yahr, who said he was raised in Lakewood and has served the community for 33 years as a firefighter and six years as Fire Chief, said the comments do not represent the Lakewood community he knows or the values of the department.

While acknowledging that the department cannot control the personal speech of someone who has not been associated with it for years, Yahr said the department wanted to make clear that the comments are neither condoned nor endorsed by its leadership or current members.

“We remain committed to professionalism, respect, dignity, and equal service to every person in our community,” the chief said.

Antisemitic YouTuber Tyler Oliveira is back in Lakewood today, reportedly harassing local schools.

The best response is no response. Do not engage, argue, or even explain why you won’t speak with him. Simply keep quiet and walk away.

If he enters private property or refuses to leave, contact the Lakewood Police Department and let law enforcement handle it.

As Yomim Noraim approaches, Jewish organizations are entering one of the most crowded and consequential fundraising windows of the year. Shuls, yeshivos, kollelim, mosdos, and community campaigns are all trying to reach donors at the same time, with messages that must feel urgent, dignified, personal, and clear. In that environment, the question is no longer simply which platform can process donations. The real question is which platform can help an organization understand its campaign, sharpen its message, and move donors with both precision and heart.

The Chesed Fund has been developing a different kind of campaign model, one that combines advanced digital infrastructure with the human judgment that fundraising still depends on. Its new AI-driven custom cause models are designed to give campaigns a level of strategic clarity, segmentation, and messaging intelligence that goes beyond the standard tools available on most fundraising platforms. But the point is not to replace human guidance with automation. The point is to know when technology should lead, when data should inform the next move, and when an experienced campaign team needs to step in and shape the story, the timing, the tone, and the ask.

That balance may be the real story. Great technology can help a campaign move faster, track better, and respond smarter. But successful fundraising still depends on trust, instinct, nuance, and experience. The Chesed Fund brings together powerful tools with decades of combined staff experience, giving organizations more than a page and more than a dashboard. For Yomim Noraim campaigns, that means a team that understands both sides of the equation: the digital systems that make campaigns scalable, and the human strategy that makes them work.

CLICK HERE TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE NOW TO SEE WHY YOU SHOULD USE THE CHESED FUND FOR YOUR FUNDRAISER!

Lakewood Alerts regrets to inform you of the Petira of Reb Aron Gertz z”l, a longtime mechanech who served as a rebbi at Yeshiva Karlin Stolin of Boro Park for more than 30 years.

Reb Aron was born on Manhattan’s Lower East Side in the 1940s to Reb Louis and Meira Gertz and was a musmach of HaRav Chaim Pinchos Scheinberg zt”l. In 1970, he married Mrs. Badana Gertz, daughter of Rav Chaim and Rebbetzin Evelyn Yachnes. The family lived in Mattersdorf before moving to Flatbush in 1979.

During his decades at Yeshiva Karlin Stolin, Reb Aron taught korbanos and haschalas Gemara, instilling in generations of young talmidim a deep love of Torah and a desire to succeed. He was remembered for his exceptional warmth and love for Yidden of every background and was rarely seen without a sefer in his hand.

In recent years, Reb Aron resided in Lakewood.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Badana Gertz; his sister, Mrs. Chana Weisberger; and his children, Shalom, Reb Yankie, Reb Moshe, Reb Yisroel Meir, Shmuli, Dovid, Shaya and Mrs. Meira Stern.

The levaya will take place today, Wednesday, at 11:00 a.m. at Congregation Sons of Israel Lakewood Chapel, 613 Ramsey Avenue.

Yehi zichro baruch.

Multiple Jewish teenagers in Lakewood threw sauce and water at passing cars, filmed themselves doing it, and then somehow decided the next logical step was to proudly upload the video to Instagram with hashtags including #sauce, #cars, #lakewoodnj, #viral and #fyp.

The behavior itself was disgusting, immature and dangerous. Throwing anything at moving vehicles is not a joke. A startled driver can swerve, panic or cause a crash.

But what makes this incident especially outrageous is what happened next.

They posted it themselves.

Nobody exposed them. Nobody secretly recorded them. Nobody leaked an embarrassing video.

They filmed the Chilul Hashem, watched it back, and then apparently thought it was entertaining enough to share with the world and try to make viral.

And, predictably, the comments exploded.

Hundreds of comments poured in, including plenty of vile antisemitic garbage aimed not just at these teenagers, but at Jews and Lakewood generally.

Let us be very clear: antisemitism is never justified. Four teenagers behaving disgracefully does not give anyone the right to attack an entire community.

But we also need to be honest with ourselves.

When you act like this while visibly Jewish and then personally upload the footage to social media, you are handing every antisemite exactly the kind of material they want.

Lakewood Police responded, and the teenagers were made to clean the vehicles they had dirtied. Amazingly, that too appears in the very video they posted.

Think about how backwards this is.

You throw substances at strangers’ cars.

Police show up.

You have to clean the cars.

And somehow the conclusion is still: let’s post this on Instagram.

Where is the shame?

Where is the basic awareness that this reflects on far more people than just the four individuals involved?

If a group of non-Jewish teenagers threw things at Jewish motorists and posted the footage online laughing about it, there would be immediate outrage — and rightly so. We cannot demand accountability when others target us and then suddenly minimize disgraceful behavior when it comes from within our own community.

Wrong is wrong.

This needs a serious macha from parents, rebbeim, yeshivos and community leaders.

Not because anyone wants to destroy four teenagers over one stupid episode, but because the message has to be unmistakable: this is not funny, this is not harmless, and this is certainly not something to post online for likes and views.

Lakewood is filled with endless chesed, volunteers helping strangers at all hours, families supporting one another, and countless quiet Kiddushei Hashem every day.

Unfortunately, social media works differently.

A thousand beautiful acts can happen without anyone noticing.

One embarrassing video can travel around the world.

That is why this matters.

The most disturbing part here may not even be the original stunt.

It is that after doing it, filming it and seeing the consequences, someone still thought:

Post it.

That should bother every one of us.

A Chilul Hashem is bad enough.

Creating one and then trying to make it go viral is another level entirely.

(Lakewood Alerts Headquarters)

Rep. Chris Smith is joining Ocean County and Manchester Township officials in opposing the development of AI data centers in the area, citing concerns over their potential impact on local resources, the environment and residents.

Smith met Thursday, August 20, with Manchester Township Mayor Joseph Hankins, Public Works Director Al Yodakis and Ocean County Commissioner Rob Arace to discuss their shared opposition to data center development in Manchester Township and across Ocean County.

“AI data centers pose critical environmental risks and impose undue stresses on local resources—including water and electricity—which place significant financial burdens on ratepayers and residents,” Smith said.

Smith also voiced strong support for a recently adopted Ocean County Board of Commissioners resolution encouraging municipalities to conduct comprehensive due diligence and establish appropriate land-use safeguards before approving data center projects. The resolution raises concerns about the environmental and resource impacts associated with the construction and operation of the facilities.

“The people who will have to endure the negative consequences of data center development in their communities deserve to have their voices heard,” Smith said. “The reasonable concerns of local residents must no longer be steamrolled by tech companies seeking profit over Americans’ quality of life—not on my watch.”

Officials also discussed roadway, environmental and public safety issues affecting Manchester Township, as well as potential ways the federal government could assist local efforts.

The 43-year-old Whiting man who was critically injured after being hit by a vehicle at County Route 530 and Swift Circle on August 9 has died from his injuries, Manchester Township Police announced.

Richard J. Fescharek passed away on August 14 after suffering multiple life-threatening injuries in the crash. Police said the investigation remains ongoing, with improper pedestrian crossing believed to be a contributing factor.

More than 130 Lakewood-area residents successfully filed for property tax relief during a special ANCHOR assistance event held Sunday at the Westwood office complex near the Lakewood-Toms River border.

The event brought New Jersey Department of the Treasury officials directly to the community, where they provided one-on-one assistance and helped residents complete applications for ANCHOR and related property tax relief programs, including Senior Freeze and Stay NJ.

Depending on eligibility, the programs can provide benefits of up to $700 for renters, up to $1,500 for homeowners age 64 and younger, and as much as $6,500 for eligible senior homeowners.

The filing event was hosted by C.A.R.E.S. and co-sponsored by Lakewood Township along with several business and nonprofit partners. Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles and Township Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein attended and thanked organizers and state officials for making the assistance easily accessible to local residents.

“Thank you to Lipa Klein and State Treasury Department officials for working together to make this event a great success,” Lichtenstein said. “Events such as these are uniquely effective in helping local residents understand and benefit from the government programs available to help them.”

C.A.R.E.S. Director Lipa Klein also thanked the Treasury Department, Lakewood Township and the event’s co-sponsors for helping local families access the financial relief programs.

Another C.A.R.E.S. property tax relief filing event is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, in the Oak Street area, with additional details expected to be announced. Residents seeking assistance in the meantime can contact C.A.R.E.S. at [email protected].

A massive fire tore through Mordy’s Shtiebel in Lakewood early Tuesday morning, heavily damaging the Shul before firefighters brought the blaze under control by approximately 7:00 a.m.

The fire broke out shortly after 6:00 a.m. at the Shtiebel, located at 15 Delaware Trail, off County Line Road near the Lakewood-Jackson border. Dozens of firefighters and emergency personnel rushed to the scene as heavy flames engulfed portions of the structure.

B’chasdei Hashem, the Sifrei Torah inside the Shul were saved. Central Jersey Chaverim volunteers were later seen removing the Sifrei Torah from the building in the aftermath of the fire, and they were found to be in good condition.

Mordy’s Shtiebel was established in 2020 in memory of Mordy Greenes a”h and has since grown into a beloved Makom Torah and Tefillah serving residents of the surrounding Lakewood and Jackson neighborhoods.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

A major change has been announced in Lakewood’s ongoing school transportation situation, with the additional fee for non-mandated busing now set at additional $290 per student, significantly lower than the previously announced $945 charge.

Following discussions involving the Lakewood Student Transportation Authority (LSTA), local and state government officials, askanim, and representatives of Igud Hamosdos, schools are now being advised to tell parents to opt in for transportation.

The new guidance marks a reversal from Igud Hamosdos’ earlier recommendation that parents take no action while efforts were underway to address the sharply increased transportation costs.

In an email sent to local mosdos on Monday, Igud Hamosdos said the reduced fee was reached following extensive meetings and discussions aimed at ensuring that transportation for Lakewood’s children begins on schedule.

“We are pleased to share that, following meetings and discussions with the LSTA, our local and state government officials, and askanim, the additional non-mandated busing fee has been reduced to an additional $290 per student,” the email stated.

Igud Hamosdos told mosdos that its recommendation had therefore changed and asked them to notify parents as quickly as possible that they should now opt in.

The $290 payment is due at the time of enrollment.

According to the notice, the LSTA portal is scheduled to go live Monday at 2:00 PM, and the LSTA office will remain open until 10:00 PM Monday night to accommodate those who need to use the kiosks in person.

Igud Hamosdos also provided schools with suggested language to distribute directly to parents, explaining that the reduced rate was reached in an effort to ensure busing begins on time. The message added that work will continue with the various stakeholders involved to explore longer-term solutions for the community’s transportation needs.

The development follows days of uncertainty surrounding non-mandated busing after families were informed that they could face a substantially higher out-of-pocket cost for transportation during the upcoming school year.

While Monday’s reduction provides significant immediate relief for families and clears the way for parents to enroll their children, questions surrounding the long-term funding of non-mandated transportation in Lakewood remain.

Igud Hamosdos said it intends to continue working with the parties involved throughout the year and will provide updates as further developments occur.

HaRav Aryeh Malkiel Kotler Shlit”a, Rosh Yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, arrived in Mexico on Monday, joining leading Gedolei Eretz Yisroel on a special mission on behalf of Keren Olam HaTorah.

The delegation is visiting Mexico as part of Keren Olam HaTorah’s ongoing efforts to raise critical support for yeshivos, kollelim, and the broader Olam HaTorah in Eretz Yisroel.

HaRav Kotler’s arrival brings him together with the Gedolei Yisroel taking part in the mission as they meet with local community members and supporters to strengthen assistance for Torah institutions in Eretz Yisroel.

Firefighters responded to a fully involved vehicle fire at Carey Street and Madison Avenue in Lakewood on Sunday at approximately 5:30 p.m.

The Lakewood Fire Department arrived at the scene and worked to bring the blaze under control. The fire was subsequently extinguished.

Other emergency personnel also responded to the scene. No injuries were reported.

A historic moment took place Sunday afternoon at Beth Medrash Govoha in Lakewood, as Rav Shneur Kotler, son of Rosh HaYeshiva HaRav Arye Malkiel Kotler Shlit”a, delivered his first shiur in the Yoshon Bais Medrash.

The shiur drew a large crowd of talmidim who gathered in the storied Bais Medrash for the milestone occasion.

Rav Shneur Kotler is a grandson of the late Lakewood Rosh HaYeshiva HaRav Shneur Kotler Zt”l, after whom he is named, adding special significance to the occasion.

Photos and videos from the shiur captured the packed Bais Medrash and the historic moment at BMG on Sunday afternoon.

A Toms River police officer is being credited with saving a man’s life after he suffered a cardiac emergency earlier this month.

On August 6, Patrolman Thomas Elwood responded to a first aid call for a man experiencing chest pain. While Elwood was speaking with the man and awaiting EMS, the patient suddenly lost consciousness and stopped breathing.

Elwood, who was the only first responder at the scene at the time, immediately lowered the man to the ground, prepared an automated external defibrillator and began CPR. He also directed family members at the scene to assist.

The AED delivered one shock, and Elwood continued CPR until the man regained consciousness and began breathing on his own.

Elwood remained with the patient, monitoring and comforting him until EMS and paramedics arrived. The man was transported from the scene by ambulance conscious and able to speak.

Toms River PBA Local 137 praised Elwood for his actions, commending him for his quick response and lifesaving efforts.

LSTA was created to solve a real transportation problem in Lakewood, and there is no question that it has accomplished a great deal. A state-cited study found that LSTA saved Lakewood millions of dollars compared to having the school district manage all transportation itself.

But ten years later, LSTA is no longer simply a Lakewood transportation solution. It has grown into a regional operation with relationships involving districts including Jackson, Toms River and Howell, while handling tens of millions of dollars and transportation for tens of thousands of children.

With that growth should come greater transparency and accountability.

The New Jersey Commissioner of Education has raised concerns about the separation between Lakewood and LSTA, as well as issues involving procurement, contract oversight and potentially duplicated costs. There have also been questions surrounding route efficiency, including unused bus seats, overlapping routes and missed opportunities to combine transportation where possible.

Then there is the financial picture. LSTA operates with a budget in the tens of millions of dollars. In 2025, the Lakewood Development Corporation approved a $1.6 million zero-interest loan to address a cash-flow issue. Now, in 2026, parents are facing hundreds of dollars in additional transportation costs following the loss of a reported $2.7 million Township subsidy.

None of this means that anyone has done anything wrong. But taxpayers and parents should be able to get clear answers to basic questions.

How much does each route cost? How much does each participating district pay? How much is spent on administration? How are contracts awarded? How much money is actually being saved, and where do those savings go?

Most importantly, who is ultimately accountable to the public?

The answer should not be to dismantle a transportation system that thousands of families rely on. Nor does everything necessarily need to be returned to the Board of Education.

Instead, it may be time to replace the current structure with a truly independent regional transportation consortium — one with independent audits, published contracts, transparent route costs, disclosed administrative expenses and a clear breakdown of what each participating district is paying.

If LSTA is saving taxpayers millions of dollars, the public should be able to see the numbers. If the routes are efficient, the data should demonstrate it. And if the current system remains the best option, transparency will only strengthen that case.

Lakewood families should not have to choose between reliable, affordable transportation and accountable government.

They deserve both.

— Chaim M., Lakewood

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The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Lakewood Alerts. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.

Ocean County has opened an online public auction featuring more than 100 surplus vehicles and pieces of equipment, with bidding underway through Tuesday, August 25.

The auction is being conducted online through USGovBid.com, where bidders can view photos and descriptions of the available items. Bidding opened at 9 a.m. Saturday, August 22, and will close at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Residents interested in seeing the items in person can attend a public preview on Monday, August 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 152 Chestnut Street in Toms River.

Bidders must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Participants are required to create an account and submit the required bidder deposit before receiving a five-digit government bidding number. All vehicles and equipment are being sold in as-is condition.

Ocean County officials, employees and members of their immediate households are prohibited from participating in the auction. Individuals are also prohibited from bidding on their behalf.

Additional information, including photos and descriptions of the items being auctioned, is available at USGovBid.com.

A Lakewood Police investigation into the fraudulent use of a stolen credit card led to two unrelated arrests at a Wawa in Browns Mills on August 18.

Detective Robert Meyer Jr. and Patrolman Anthony Amoroso traveled to the Wawa on Juliustown Road while investigating the use of a credit card that had been stolen during a vehicle burglary in Lakewood.

Police located Raymond L. Lawson, 59, of West Creek, who was arrested and charged with fraudulent use of a credit card. He was released on a criminal complaint summons pending a future court appearance.

While officers were conducting that investigation, Detective Meyer recognized Alexander Lowery, 59, of Lakewood, who was wanted in connection with a separate series of shoplifting incidents in Lakewood and also had an active arrest warrant.

Lowery was taken into custody and transported to the Ocean County Jail.

Lakewood Police thanked the Pemberton Township Police Department for assisting with both arrests.

All charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

The battle over Lakewood’s non-mandated school busing costs escalated sharply Friday, with local mosdos being urged to advise parents not to opt into the busing program at the newly increased $945-per-student rate.

The development comes after the Lakewood Student Transportation Authority (LSTA) failed to receive government funding to help cover non-mandated transportation, resulting in the annual charge jumping from $385 to $945 per student.

In a message sent to Lakewood mosdos on Friday, Igud Hamosdos said that following discussions with numerous schools in town, the consensus was that parents should not be forced to shoulder the dramatically higher cost.

“Please notify your parents that, at this time, you do not recommend that they opt in to the Non-Mandated Busing program at the newly requested rate,” the message states.

“The feeling is that the cost of this transportation should be covered through government funding and should not be placed on the parents.”

Igud Hamosdos also provided schools with suggested language to distribute directly to parents.

“Regarding the new LSTA fee for non-mandated students, the Mosed feels that this is a cost that should be covered through government funding and should not be placed on the parents,” the proposed notice states.

“Therefore, at this time, our recommendation is that parents NOT opt in to the Non-Mandated Busing program at the new rate. We will keep parents updated should there be any developments.”

The message was signed by Shimon Balsam of Igud Hamosdos.

The latest move dramatically raises the stakes in the ongoing Lakewood busing crisis, as families face an increase of $560 per child — nearly two-and-a-half times the previous charge.

For families with multiple children requiring non-mandated transportation, the new rate could result in thousands of dollars in additional annual expenses.

The coordinated recommendation from Lakewood mosdos appears aimed at pushing back against shifting the funding shortfall onto parents while efforts continue to secure government funding for the transportation program.

A frightening road rage incident in Lakewood involving a vehicle carrying Jewish teens and another vehicle carrying Hispanic teens escalated into a knife attack, a stolen vehicle and multiple arrests, sources tell Lakewood Alerts.

The incident began early Friday morning near FoodEx on Princeton Avenue, where the occupants of the second vehicle allegedly became involved in a confrontation with the Jewish teens. The suspects then reportedly called additional friends, and the Jewish teens were chased through Lakewood in an apparent road rage incident.

The confrontation came to a head near 10th Street and Clifton Avenue, where several individuals exited their vehicle and began screaming at the Jewish teens.

During the confrontation, one suspect allegedly pulled out a knife and began threatening one of the Jewish teens, swinging the weapon at him. In the chaos, the knife instead struck one of the suspect’s own friends, injuring him.

Meanwhile, another individual allegedly jumped into the vehicle belonging to the Jewish teens and drove off with it.

The stolen vehicle was subsequently recovered a short distance away.

Lakewood Police launched an intensive investigation, with numerous detectives working for hours to identify and apprehend those allegedly involved.

Multiple arrests were ultimately made.

Sources tell Lakewood Alerts that charges include aggravated assault and weapons possession in connection with the knife incident, while another suspect faces charges related to the theft of the vehicle.

Police said there was no reason to believe that this was an antisemitic incident.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Lakewood Township hosted its first-ever Global Entry interview event on Wednesday, August 19, bringing U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials directly to the Lakewood Municipal Building to interview local residents seeking enrollment in the popular trusted traveler program.

A steady stream of residents took advantage of the opportunity throughout the day. Global Entry provides approved travelers with expedited processing when entering the United States and also includes TSA PreCheck benefits for airport security screenings.

Lakewood Township worked extensively with CBP to secure a substantial number of local interview appointments for Lakewood applicants. Officials said the event was the first of its kind in Ocean County and among only a small number of similar events ever held in New Jersey. The state’s only permanent Global Entry enrollment center is located at Newark Liberty International Airport.

“We would like to thank the CBP for working with the Township and community leaders to arrange this event,” Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein said. “This enabled many local residents, including seniors and large families, to enroll in Global Entry without a time-consuming trip. We look forward to continuing to work with the CBP on behalf of our residents.”

Governor Mikie Sherrill’s administration announced Wednesday that approximately 5,100 voter registrations have been removed from New Jersey’s voter rolls following an ongoing review of a Motor Vehicle Commission software error that resulted in individuals being registered incorrectly.

According to the administration, another approximately 1,450 registrations have been changed to “rejected” status pending additional review by county election officials. Those individuals will not be permitted to vote unless their eligibility is verified.

State officials said approximately 340 people who were newly registered as a result of the system error cast ballots. Separately, officials identified approximately 220 people affected by the error who voted but also had previous voter registrations or other records indicating they may have been validly registered. Those cases are being referred to county officials for further review.

The issue was first identified on July 21. The Statewide Voter Registration System was temporarily taken offline so election officials could preserve records and make necessary changes. Counties have now been directed to complete remaining reviews before voting begins.

Sherrill said her administration is working to “correct our voter rolls” while ensuring eligible New Jersey residents are not disenfranchised. The state’s investigation into how the MVC system error occurred remains ongoing.

Lakewood-area residents will have an opportunity this Sunday to learn more about New Jersey’s ANCHOR property tax relief program and receive in-person assistance filing for benefits.

The event will be held Sunday, August 23, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Westwood office complex, located at 1001 Route 70 near the Lakewood-Toms River border.

The ANCHOR program provides eligible New Jersey homeowners and renters with property tax relief benefits worth several hundred dollars annually.

Information about eligibility and other program details will be available in both English and Yiddish. Representatives from the New Jersey Department of the Treasury will also be on site to answer questions and assist residents with processing applications.

The event is being organized by the C.A.R.E.S. organization, which has arranged ANCHOR assistance events since 2024, and is being co-sponsored by Lakewood Township along with several local businesses and organizations. Organizers said the previous C.A.R.E.S. ANCHOR event in Lakewood drew more participants than any other such event in New Jersey aside from Newark.

“We greatly appreciate that Lakewood residents have the opportunity to learn about the ANCHOR program and apply at a convenient local venue,” Lakewood Township Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein said. “Thanks to the Treasury Department, C.A.R.E.S. and other event partners, many additional local households will enjoy relief during these financially stressed times.”

State Senator Robert Singer encouraged residents who need assistance with the application process to attend.

“This is a great opportunity for anyone that needs assistance in filling out the ANCHOR application,” Singer said. “I would recommend that my constituents take advantage of this opportunity.”

Assemblyman Avi Schnall said continued funding for the program provides important relief for families facing rising expenses.

“We are grateful that the State Legislature has once again provided the necessary funding for the ANCHOR program in this year’s budget,” Schnall said. “This program provides crucial relief to countless families within our District, and throughout the State, who struggle to keep up with the fast-rising cost of living.”

Lipa Klein, director of C.A.R.E.S., thanked the Treasury Department and local partners for making representatives available on a weekend to maximize participation.

“It is a privilege to assist so many local residents obtain property tax relief,” Klein said. “On behalf of the Lakewood community, I would like to thank the Treasury Department for providing live representation at the event — on a weekend — in order to allow for maximum public participation. Special thanks as well to Lakewood Township and the other co-sponsors for making this event possible.”

Lakewood families are facing a staggering increase in transportation costs for the upcoming school year, with the Lakewood Student Transportation Authority (LSTA) informing schools and parents that the cost of non-mandated busing will jump from $385 to $945 per child.

But questions are now emerging over exactly what funding was eliminated — and who had previously benefited from it.

Contrary to an earlier understanding of the announcement, Lakewood Township has not historically subsidized the cost of non-mandated LSTA transportation for nonpublic-school families.

Rather, Township funding had been used to provide so-called courtesy busing for Lakewood public-school students who lived within the distance limits that would otherwise make them ineligible for state-mandated transportation.

Those public-school students were reportedly receiving that courtesy transportation at no direct cost to their families.

With that Township funding no longer available, the new LSTA fee structure is raising serious questions over whether the financial impact of maintaining the broader transportation system is now being shifted onto nonpublic-school families.

LSTA informed families Thursday that non-mandated transportation for the 2026-27 school year will cost $945 per child, up sharply from the previously announced $385.

Non-mandated students are generally elementary-school children who live two miles or less from their school, or high-school students who live 2.5 miles or less away.

According to LSTA, the actual cost of providing a seat can reach as high as $1,177, though the authority said efficiencies within Lakewood’s transportation network allowed it to reduce the parent charge to $945.

Families who already paid $385 will have that payment credited toward the new cost, leaving an additional balance of $560 per child.

For families with several children requiring transportation, that can mean thousands of dollars in unexpected additional expenses just days before the school year begins.

The development is also fueling major questions over how Lakewood’s transportation system is funded.

If public-school students previously received courtesy busing at no direct cost to their families because Township money covered that service, residents deserve a clear explanation of what happens now that the funding is gone.

More importantly, families deserve to know whether the loss of funding for public-school courtesy transportation is playing a role in the dramatic increase now being imposed on nonpublic-school families.

That distinction is critical.

Lakewood Township has not simply been subsidizing transportation for all non-mandated students across the community. The funding structure appears to have treated public-school courtesy transportation differently, with those families receiving transportation without having to pay the type of per-child charge now being imposed on nonpublic-school families.

That is likely to intensify frustration among Lakewood parents already struggling with tuition and rapidly increasing school-related expenses.

Families are increasingly being asked to pay separately for transportation, lunches and other services, while tuition and the overall cost of raising a family continue to rise.

Another $560 per child is not a minor increase.

A family with four affected children, for example, would suddenly face an additional $2,240 transportation bill.

The increase is also raising broader questions about accountability at LSTA and within Lakewood’s overall transportation structure.

For years, families have dealt with transportation complaints involving routes, delays, capacity and other service issues while the amount of money required to operate the system continues to grow.

At some point, residents are entitled to ask whether the existing system is sustainable.

If LSTA cannot provide reliable transportation at a cost that families and taxpayers can reasonably afford, Township officials and transportation leaders should be looking at every possible alternative — including restructuring the system, changing leadership or finding another way to provide the service.

Residents also deserve complete transparency regarding how the transportation system is funded, how much money comes from each government source, how public-school courtesy transportation is financed, what nonpublic-school transportation actually costs and how the loss of one funding source affects families in another part of the system.

Simply telling families that they must pay dramatically more is not enough.

As of Thursday afternoon, Lakewood Alerts had seen no public statement from Lakewood Township officials fully explaining the situation or addressing the sudden increase.

That silence leaves major unanswered questions.

When did Township officials know the courtesy-busing funding would no longer be available?

How much had the Township been spending on public-school courtesy transportation?

Were public-school families previously paying anything toward those buses?

How does the elimination of that funding affect LSTA’s overall transportation contracts?

And most importantly, why are nonpublic-school families now being asked to pay $945 per child?

Parents who want their children to remain on the bus must log into the LSTA family portal and opt in by Monday, August 24, at 11:00 p.m.

Families who already paid $385 will receive credit for that payment, while those who opt out will receive a refund.

LSTA said the short deadline is necessary to allow routes to be reorganized, transportation contracts to be finalized and vendors to prepare for the start of service on September 1.

But for thousands of Lakewood families, the bigger issue is no longer simply the size of the increase.

It is understanding who had been paying for what, why that funding disappeared, and whether the financial burden of one part of Lakewood’s transportation system is now being placed on families in another.

Lakewood Township has expanded public parking in the downtown area with the addition of nearly 30 new spaces at Lakewood’s Red Square.

The new spaces connects to the existing municipal parking lot immediately to the east, providing motorists with additional parking in the heart of downtown Lakewood.

The newly added spaces are now available for public use. Parking is permitted on weekdays, while parking is prohibited on Saturdays and Sundays.

The addition provides more parking capacity in the busy downtown area, where available spaces are often limited.

A tractor-trailer knocked down a pedestrian traffic signal while making a turn at the intersection of Prospect Street and Route 9 in Lakewood on Thursday morning.

The incident occurred at approximately 9:45 a.m. as the tractor-trailer was turning onto Route 9. The truck struck the pedestrian signal, bringing it down at the intersection.

Emergency personnel responded to the scene, and the truck remained there following the incident.

No injuries were reported. The incident caused traffic backups in the area while crews worked at the scene.

The Lakewood Community Coalition held its quarterly August meeting Tuesday at the historic Strand Theater in Downtown Lakewood, bringing together community leaders, health-care professionals, law enforcement officials, faith leaders and other local partners for a discussion focused on community health and mental health resources.

The August 18 meeting was co-chaired by Lakewood Police Captain Steve Allaire and Cori Scotti of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

Keynote speakers from Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus presented findings from the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment and discussed several mental health initiatives, including ongoing collaboration between mental health professionals, the Lakewood Police Department and other law enforcement agencies.

Abby Masiello, MPH, CHES, highlighted findings showing that many Lakewood residents struggle with household expenses, while the township’s continued population growth has increased the need for accessible medical and mental health services.

A major focus of the meeting was Hope Hub, a new mental health facility in Lakewood designed to provide additional local support for individuals and families seeking care.

JoAnn Jason, M.A., and Randi Hershkowitz, MSN, RN, PMH-BC, discussed the Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services and Hope Hub model of care, which aims to reduce the need for conventional hospitalization while connecting patients with mental health professionals, law enforcement, social-service providers, faith communities and other community partners.

The coalition also recognized members of the Lakewood Police Department’s Community Resource Unit, including Sgt. Michael Conrad, Patrolman Jason Yahr and Joseph Soriano, along with D/Sgt. Jeannette Shimonovich, Police Social Worker Caitlin Ciaccio-Soto and Patrick Sample of the Traffic Safety Division.

Conrad highlighted several recent CRU outreach initiatives, including Pizza in the Square, Cops and Bobbers, Showers in the Square, Chill with a Cop and participation in local back-to-school events. Coalition members thanked the unit for its continued work promoting community safety, engagement and cooperation.

I’m writing because I genuinely don’t know what I’m supposed to do, and I’m wondering how other Lakewood parents would handle this situation.

My child’s Yeshiva recently got a new administrator, and I was told that I cannot register my child for the upcoming school year unless I agree to a tuition amount that is simply beyond what I can afford.

I explained my financial situation and offered to pay the amount that I realistically can manage. I’m not asking to pay nothing. I want to pay tuition and contribute what I am able to. But the administrator rejected my offer and is insisting on an amount approaching $1,000 per month.

I was essentially told that if I can’t afford that amount, I should go out and raise the difference.

For a family paying multiple tuitions along with all the regular expenses of raising a family, that number is simply not realistic for us. I understand that Yeshivos have enormous expenses and that teachers and staff need to be paid. But where is a parent supposed to turn when the school’s required tuition is genuinely more than the family can afford?

As things stand right now, my child is not registered for school.

Is it reasonable for a Yeshiva to refuse registration when parents are willing to pay what they genuinely can afford? Are parents expected to fundraise privately just to keep their children enrolled?

I would sincerely appreciate hearing from Rabbanim, administrators, parents and members of the community who have dealt with situations like this. What is a family supposed to do?

— C.P., Lakewood

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The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Lakewood Alerts. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.

Metropolitan Commercial Bank has installed new exterior signage at its Lakewood Banking Center at 311 Boulevard of the Americas, highlighting what the bank says is its longstanding presence and continued commitment to the Lakewood community.

MCB, which has served the Lakewood area for more than two decades, signed a long-term lease for the location with Chopp Holdings LLC in 2020 and later completed a comprehensive build-out of the space as its business in the area expanded.

“MCB has served the Lakewood community for more than two decades,” said Mark R. DeFazio, founder, president and CEO of Metropolitan Commercial Bank. “Our new signage reflects the relationships we have built here and our continued commitment to the businesses, organizations and individuals we serve.”

The Lakewood Banking Center provides commercial banking services to businesses, organizations and individuals throughout Lakewood and the surrounding area.

Mark Chopp, managing partner of Chopp Holdings, said the new signage gives the bank increased visibility while reflecting its established presence in the local business community.

Metropolitan Commercial Bank is a New York City-based commercial bank with banking centers in Manhattan, Boro Park, Great Neck, Lakewood and South Florida. Its parent company, Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp., is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MCB.

New Jersey Lt. Governor and Secretary of State Dr. Dale G. Caldwell met Wednesday with a group of community leaders for a meet-and-greet ahead of the upcoming High Holidays.

Those attending included Lakewood Township Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein; Chanie Jacobowitz, Vice President of Government Affairs and Compliance at Beth Medrash Govoha; Linden community activist Mendy Stern; Teaneck Deputy Mayor Elie Katz; and Rabbi Ari Herson, representing his father, Rabbi Mendy Herson, Dean of Chabad of Greater New Jersey.

The gathering was arranged by longtime community leader and law enforcement chaplain Rabbi Abe Friedman and provided an opportunity for Caldwell to meet with representatives of Jewish communities from across New Jersey ahead of the Yom Tov season.

Following the meeting, the group presented Caldwell with a special Mezuzah Award as a gesture of appreciation and recognition.

Brick Township has announced application procedures for its 2026-2027 Beach Vehicle Permits, with Brick residents getting the first opportunity to apply beginning Thursday, September 10.

Applications will be accepted exclusively from Brick Township residents on September 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with proof of residency required. Beginning Friday, September 11, applications will open to all applicants and may be submitted in person or by mail. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

A total of 200 permits will be issued at a cost of $35 each. The permits will be valid from October 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027.

Vehicle inspections will be scheduled in 30-minute time slots to reduce wait times, and applicants must bring all required documents and equipment to their inspection. Permits will either be mailed or made available for pickup during the week following the inspection.

For additional information, residents can contact the Brick Township Municipal Clerk’s Office at 732-262-1001.

The Department of Homeland Security says New Jersey has agreed to cooperate with a federal review of voter registration records aimed at identifying potential noncitizen registrations, although Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration has not publicly confirmed the development.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said New Jersey Secretary of State Dale Caldwell informed the department that the state would participate in efforts to verify voter records. DHS has previously said it identified approximately 35,000 New Jersey registrations as potential matches involving noncitizens, though officials have stressed that the figure represents records requiring further verification and does not establish that those individuals are illegally registered or voted.

The development follows weeks of disagreement between the Sherrill administration and the Trump administration over access to voter registration data. New Jersey officials had raised legal and privacy concerns over requests for unredacted voter information.

The state has separately acknowledged that approximately 6,600 noncitizens were mistakenly registered through the Motor Vehicle Commission because of a system error.

As of Wednesday morning, neither the Governor’s Office nor the New Jersey Department of State had publicly confirmed Mullin’s claim that the state will cooperate with the DHS review.

A Brick Township man has been charged after police say he deliberately damaged a license plate reader outside a local gas station.

Matthew Wardell, 31, was arrested on August 13 following an investigation by the Brick Township Police Department’s Detective Bureau and charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief.

Police said officers were called to the Exxon station at 181 Drum Point Road on July 8 after a Flock Safety camera had been intentionally knocked down.

Flock cameras are automated license plate readers used by law enforcement to help develop leads in investigations involving stolen vehicles, burglaries, thefts, missing vehicles and crimes spanning multiple jurisdictions. Police noted that the cameras do not issue traffic tickets or independently determine whether a crime has occurred.

Authorities reminded the public that intentionally damaging law enforcement equipment can result in criminal charges.

Wardell is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

A New York man was arrested in Ocean County after police say he served as a courier in an elaborate scam that stole $50,000 from a senior citizen and attempted to collect another $30,000.

Berkeley Township Police responded Friday, August 14, to a home in the Holiday City section after the victim reported being scammed. Police said the scheme began with a computer pop-up claiming to be from Microsoft and directing her to call a phone number. The victim was then connected with individuals posing as Microsoft and Wells Fargo representatives, who convinced her that her bank accounts had been compromised.

Believing the callers were legitimate, the woman mailed a $50,000 cashier’s check. The scammers continued contacting her daily and later demanded another $30,000, telling her that a courier would come to her home to collect the money for safekeeping.

After the victim contacted police, detectives established surveillance around the residence while she continued communicating with the callers. Officers spotted a gray Toyota RAV4 arriving near the home just as the victim was told that the courier had arrived.

Police arrested Gurdutt Singh, 24, of South Richmond, New York, and charged him with conspiracy to commit third-degree theft by deception and conspiracy to commit third-degree money laundering. He was lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending further court proceedings.

A newly discovered fault line in New Jersey is believed to have caused the magnitude 4.8 earthquake that shook much of the Northeast in April 2024, according to a new study.

The earthquake, centered near Tewksbury, was initially believed to be connected to the Ramapo Fault. However, researchers now say evidence points to a previously unidentified fault known as the Mountainville Fault.

The study, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, found that the fault dips approximately 45 degrees underground, allowing seismic energy to spread across a wide area. The earthquake was felt from Virginia to Maine, including throughout New Jersey and New York.

Researchers described the Mountainville Fault as an “immature” fault and said the discovery does not necessarily mean another earthquake is imminent. Experts stressed that New Jersey remains a relatively low-risk earthquake region, but identifying previously unknown faults can help scientists better understand future seismic activity.

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission is expanding access to REAL ID appointments, adding three more MVC agencies where residents can obtain the federally compliant licenses and identification cards.

Officials announced Tuesday that locations in Hazlet, Turnersville and Wallington are now booking REAL ID appointments through the MVC website. The expansion follows the addition of REAL ID services at several other locations earlier this summer as the state works to reduce appointment wait times.

More than 350,000 REAL IDs have been issued since the recent expansion, bringing New Jersey’s total to approximately 2.7 million. Initial REAL ID licenses and identification cards must be obtained in person at an MVC agency.

A major $509 million reconstruction project is set to reshape a busy stretch of the Garden State Parkway in Ocean County, with plans calling for new ramps, redesigned interchanges, bridge work and the elimination of Exit 81.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority is completing final designs for the project, which will cover the Parkway between mileposts 80 and 83 through Beachwood, South Toms River, Berkeley and Toms River. Construction is currently expected to begin in spring 2027, following a public hearing that is expected to be scheduled in the coming months.

Officials say the project is intended to address longstanding safety and traffic concerns along the corridor, where closely spaced interchanges, narrow shoulders, sharp curves and heavy merging traffic have contributed to crash rates above the statewide average.

Among the biggest changes will be the construction of separate collector-distributor lanes in both directions between Interchanges 81 and 82. The lanes will allow vehicles entering and exiting the Parkway to merge and change lanes away from the main high-speed traffic lanes.

As part of the redesign, the current Exit 81 designation will disappear. Exits 81, 82 and 82A will instead be renamed 82A, 82B and 82C.

Exit 80 will also undergo major changes, including two new ramps that will provide additional access between the Parkway and Route 9, Dover Road and Double Trouble Road. Improvements are also planned to reduce backups that currently extend from the Exit 80 ramp onto the Parkway during evening rush hour.

The project will require work on 11 bridges, including rehabilitation or full replacement. A new Lakehurst Road bridge will be built alongside the existing structure so traffic can continue moving while construction is underway.

Plans also include a new roundabout at Lakehurst Road, Highland Parkway and Water Street near the Toms River bus terminal. Approximately 15 acres of property will be needed for redesigned ramps and related construction, with officials saying most of that land is already publicly owned.

The overhaul is designed to modernize a section of the Parkway that largely dates back to the highway’s original construction in the 1950s while improving traffic flow and safety for the growing number of motorists traveling through central Ocean County.

More than 8,000 Optimum customers in the Lakewood area have been without service for a significant portion of the day Tuesday amid a widespread outage.

Customers received a message from Optimum last week advising that the company was upgrading service in the area and warning that customers could experience service disruptions during the work. It is unclear whether Tuesday’s widespread outage is related to those upgrades.

As of Tuesday afternoon, service had not yet been restored for many customers, and there was no estimated time for full restoration.