Coast Guard Rescues Ailing Woman from Cruise Off Toms River Shore

66-year-old woman is reported to be in stable condition

A woman suffering from heart failure aboard a cruise ship was rescued early Thursday by U.S. Coast Guard officials while the vessel was 20 miles off Toms River's shore.  Personnel aboard the Splendor, a 952-foot Carnival cruise ship, contacted Coast Guard watchstanders in New York at about 12:40 a.m. Thursday and reported a 66-year-old woman aboard was experiencing heart failure, according to a news release. A rescue crew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from the Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City was dispatched to the cruise ship to rescue the woman, who was not immediately identified by authorities.  The Coast Guard helicopter crew was able to hoist the woman and a nurse aboard and transport them to Jersey Shore University Medical …

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Rick

10:47 am on Sunday, May 12, 2013

Cruise lines are based in the US. However most ships, cruise, cargo, etc have foreign registration because of lower taxes, not liability.   more ›

Reflections On 'Chemical Town'

A look back at Toms River, Ciba-Geigy and Reich Farm

Chances are, many who lived in Toms River nearly 30 years ago didn't know that Ciba-Geigy was quietly pumping millions of gallons of treated chemical waste into the Atlantic Ocean every day. They didn't know about the 10-mile long pipeline that ran underground from the company's plant in North Dover, across Barnegat Bay and the barrier island and spewed its discharge 2,500 feet into the surf off Second Avenue in Ortley Beach. They didn't know until one spring morning in May 1984, when the pipeline sprung a leak at Vaughn and Bay avenues. Then everything changed. Then everybody knew. The pipeline leak spawned The Ocean County Citizens For Clean Water, Save Our Ocean and other nonprofit environmental groups. They all had one goal - to shut …

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Deadline Set for Dune Easements to be Signed

Officials hoping project will begin this summer from Manasquan to Barnegat inlets

Oceanfront homeowners between Manasquan and Barnegat inlets are being urged to sign easements necessary for a beach renourishment project to get off the ground by May 1, officials said Thursday. U.S. Rep Jon Runyan (R-3) wrote to the mayors of a number of northern Ocean County municipalities this week urging them to secure all necessary easements for the massive dune and beach project by May 1, the date the Army Corps of Engineers must submit a work plan to Congress. The project's design – which would include the construction of approximately 25-foot high dunes, 75 foot wide berms and 175 acres of dune grass in the project area – was completed in 2007, but has languished after some oceanfront homeowners refused to sign easements that would…

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Fishing Friday

Early Season Back Bay Bass Fishing Tips

Striped bass season opens Friday

Striped bass season begins in the back bays and rivers March 1, and Patch caught up with Dennis Palmatier of Murphy's Hook House Bait and Tackle in Toms River for some tips. The regulations for striped bass remains two fish per angler, per day, with a minimum size limit of 28 inches. Striped bass season in the back bays and rivers runs from March 1 through Dec. 31. In the ocean, the season is open year-round. Anglers fishing Oyster Creek should keep in mind that fishing the west side of the Route 9 bridge over the creek requires a freshwater fishing license. Fishing the east side of the bridge does not, though all anglers statewide must obtain a free registration card online before fishing.

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Hurricane Sandy

OceanFirst Gives to Point Beach, Toms River and Monmouth United Way

Foundation awards six grants to organizations in Sandy-battered communities

OceanFirst Foundation’s Relief and Recovery Grant Program is awarding six new grants totaling $93,000 to organizations in Point Pleasant Beach, Toms River and Monmouth County. The recipients are: Ocean Fire Co. #1, Point Pleasant Beach; Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey, Toms River; Children’s Home Society, Toms River; Homes for All, Toms River; O.C.E.A.N., Inc., Toms River and United Way of Monmouth County, Farmingdale. "The foundation's grant program assists the efforts of nonprofit organizations in the New Jersey shore market area that are helping local families and individuals affected by Hurricane Sandy," says a prepared statement issued by the foundation. The amount awarded to each of the organizations and details about their …

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Hurricane Sandy

Local Officials Describe Sandy's Widespread Devastation, 'Human Misery' to Senate Panel

State Senate looking to improve infrastructure, hear from local mayors, police chiefs on Hurricane Sandy specifics

Local officials described in dramatic detail the work of rescue and rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy, as state senators listened to how the Jersey Shore is grappling with widespread devastation and how to improve for the future. “This is flooding, devastation, I’d never have imagined in my lifetime,” said Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy, one of the first panelists detailing specific anecdotes and financial spending in response to Hurricane Sandy. The panelists were called by the state Senate Budget Committee, held in Toms River Monday. It was the first of several meetings aiming to equip senators with a better understanding as the state figures out how to fund the rebuilding of a collapsed infrastructure and to improve it in …

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Weekend Preview

It's All Greek To You at Annual Saint Barbara's Festival This Weekend

Saint Barbara's Fall Greek Festival expected to draw thousands over weekend

Whether or not you know your souvlaki from your moussaka, you needn't be Greek to come down to Saint Barbara's Church Annual Fall Greek Festival, Sept. 21-23. In fact, according to Gus Kakavas, the Promotions Chairman for Saint Barbara's Church in Toms River, the majority of attendees are not of Greek heritage. The annual fall festival also continues to grow, he said. "As you know, the Greek community is only a small part of the attendees at the Greek Festival. Our first Saint Barbara Greek Festival was held in September of 1973 — 39 years ago," he said in an email.   With nearly four decades of Greek Festivals at the church, over the years the event has expanded the number of attendees it draws to its expanding offerings of food, …

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Human Case of West Nile Virus Turns Up in Toms River

Victim not identified by authorities

The first human case of West Nile Virus in Ocean County for 2012 has been confirmed by county health authorities. The county resident, who WOBM radio reported was from Toms River, was not identified by name or age. The person reported mild symptoms and has since recovered, officials said. The Ocean County case was the fourth human infection in New Jersey this year, said Daniel Regenye, Ocean County Health Department Public Health Coordinator. "People need to make sure they are either covered up to protect themselves from mosquitoes or use mosquito repellent, making sure to read the directions if applying to children," said Regenye in a statement. West Nile Virus is mainly transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, officials said…

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Driver in Collision with County Detective Gets $378 in Fines

Car crash led to death of Tina Rambo, Ocean County Detective and former Point Beach special police officer

A Marlton woman pleaded guilty to two of four Municipal Court charges stemming from a car accident that killed Tina Rambo, an Ocean County detective. Rachel Portnoy, 24, pleaded guilty in Southampton Municipal Court in Burlington County on Wednesday to charges of overtaking and passing vehicles and driving an unregistered vehicle and has to pay $378 in fines and court costs, said Terry Bodine, Municipal Court administrator. Portnoy collided with a car driven by Rambo, 35, a detective with the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, on Route 70 in Southampton on Aug. 1, 2011. Rambo died from injuries sustained in the accident, leaving behind her husband, Roy Rambo, and two young boys, who were 3 and 6 years old at the time. Portnoy pleaded guilty…

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Angelo

9:18 am on Monday, April 29, 2013

Forgiveness is a personal belief/Religous thing. When people hurt others, hurt animals or just show a lack of concern for others, that all goes out the window. This is a complete mess allowing this person to get off with a $400 fine after this the family lost their wife & mother.   more ›

Family: Whiz Kid (Student Spotlight)

Color Guard Competition Wows in Toms River

30 color guards competed at Pine Belt Arena this weekend

Thirty color guards from around the state competed at the Pine Belt Arena on the Toms River North campus Saturday. Among the eight classes -- Middle School, Independent, Scholastic and World -- the color guards came to compete throughout the day. This event was sponsored by the booster organizations of Toms River High Schools East and North Marching Bands. More than 300 spectators cheered on their favorite color guards. The Barnegat High School Guard dedicated thier show " A Letter To You" to Billy Gross, a 16 year old boy with stage four cancer, and all the loved ones who have suffered with cancer. Check out our gallery of images from the event.

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