JACKSON, NJ (OCEAN)–The New Jersey Forrest Fire Service reports:
WILDFIRE UPDATE: East Commodore Boulevard – Jackson Twp., Ocean County
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service remains on scene of a wildland-urban interface wildfire burning in the area of East Commodore Boulevard and Cedar Swamp Road in Jackson Twp., Ocean County.
The wildfire is 50 acres in size and is 0% contained.
Forest Fire Service crews are utilizing a backfiring operation to protect surrounding homes and burn fuel ahead of the main body of fire. This operation will be ongoing throughout the night.
The Forest Fire Service hopes to contain the fire between East Commodore Boulevard, Cedar Swamp Road and Jackson Mills Road.
ROAD CLOSURES Exit 21 on Interstate 195 is closed East Commodore Boulevard is closed between Cedar Swamp Road and Jackson Mills Road Cedar Swamp Road is closed between East Commodore Road and Jackson Mills Road Jackson Mills Road is closed between East Commodore Road and Cedar Swamp Road
Please avoid the area.
STRUCTURES THREATENED 30 structures are threatened – structure protection is being provided by local fire companies.
MOUNT HOLLY, NJ — The National Weather Service Philadelphia Mount Holly reported hazy, smoky skies across the Northeast today that are having impacts on air quality. But where did all of this thick, heavy smoke come from? Raging wildfires in Quebec, Canada are generating large smoke plumes to the north and ALL of the smoke is being funneled right into the Northeast thanks to steering currents from a stationary low off the coast of Maine and a strong high over the Great Lakes and Ontario. Additional smoke and haze is expected to arrive around sunset tonight and continue into the day tomorrow, bringing air quality concerns along with it.
McGuire Airforce Base – KWRI METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Reports) data indicated 3 miles visibility CLR with haze late this afternoon. Since that report the visibility has increased to 5 miles with haze and broken clouds tonight. Haze could be seen throughout the area and with a smell of smoke. Trenton Mercer Airport KTTN reports 3 miles visibility and overcast skies tonight.
Photos from the Allentown – Upper Freehold Township areas showing hazy smoky skies.
Where did all of this thick, heavy smoke across the Northeast come from? Raging wildfires in Quebec are generating large smoke plumes to the north and ALL of the smoke is being funneled right into the Northeast. Unfortunately, more smoke is on the way for tonight and Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/TCFkOJZOb0
Here is a look at the current surface visibility restrictions due to the Canadian wildfire smoke across the area. The smoke and haze should slowly improve overnight, however an additional plume of smoke is expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon and evening
Haze and smoke will continue tonight through Wednesday. Temps will be near normal. Some isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible to the north Wed afternoon, but most areas will remain dry.
Area high school and middle school students showcase their approach to address the ongoing impacts of climate change
June 6, 2023
TRENTON, NJ – Atlantic City Electric, Exelon, the Drumthwacket Foundation, and Sustainable Jersey honored six student teams for their NJ Student Climate Challenge action projects, which offer innovative approaches to help address the ongoing issue of climate change. Student teams, from high schools and middle schools across New Jersey, were tasked with developing and executing a school or community-based climate action project and creating a digital story video to capture the approach and impacts of their climate project. Student team winners and their teacher mentors were recognized on June 5, 2023, at an awards ceremony hosted by the Drumthwacket Foundation with New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy.
“It is an honor to host and recognize the future leaders of our green economy at this year’s NJ Student Climate Challenge Action Project Awards,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “New Jersey is a proven leader in addressing our nation’s climate change crisis, having been the first state to incorporate climate change education across our K-12 learning standards. As we move closer to our goal of reaching 100 percent clean energy by 2035, I am relieved to know the climate literate leaders of tomorrow are being trained today here in New Jersey.”
The NJ Student Climate Challenge is a program, funded by Atlantic City Electric and its parent company, Exelon, that was created to foster the growing role young people are playing in addressing climate change. The initiative builds on New Jersey’s efforts to increase climate literacy among young people across the state, including its first-in-the-nation effort to incorporate climate change education across all K-12 state academic standards.
“The creativity and innovation these students have put into their project submissions shows just how passionate our youth are about addressing the impacts of climate change and creating a cleaner environment for future generations,” said Doug Mokoid, region president for Atlantic City Electric. “We created this program as a pathway for students to engage in climate education and have hands on opportunities to make a change in their community right now. The participants clearly demonstrated the bright future we have and should be applauded for their innovation and impact.”
High School Category Winners
First Place: Bug Power! Team from Princeton High School, Princeton Public Schools, Mercer County
Second Place: Planet-Over-Profit Team from South Plainfield High School, South Plainfield School District, Middlesex County
Third Place: Wall High School Environmental Team from Wall Township High School, Wall Township Public School District, Monmouth County
Middle School Category Winners
First Place: Climate Action and Sustainability (CAST) Team from Rosa International Middle School, Cherry Hill Public Schools, Camden County
Second Place: Carbon Catchers Team from Howell Township Middle School South, Howell Township Public Schools, Monmouth County
Third Place: Edson’s Engineers Team from Ocean Township Intermediate School, Ocean Township School District, Monmouth County
Winners were selected by a panel of judges that included educators and representatives from local non-profits, state agencies and the partner organizations. Winning schools received a grant to support their climate education initiatives.
The NJ Student Climate Challenge was open to New Jersey public schools with students in grades 6-12 across the state. Middle and high school students are encouraged to identify and complete a school or community project to address a cause or impact of climate change. The students then create a short digital story video to highlight what they accomplished. Students participate through their respective schools. There is no cost to schools or students to participate.
First Place: Bug Power! Team from Princeton High School, Princeton Public Schools, Mercer County
Second Place: Planet-Over-Profit Team from South Plainfield High School, South Plainfield School District, Middlesex County
Third Place: Wall High School Environmental Team from Wall Township High School, Wall Township Public School District, Monmouth County
First Place: Climate Action and Sustainability (CAST) Team from Rosa International Middle School, Cherry Hill Public Schools, Camden County
Second Place: Carbon Catchers Team from Howell Township Middle School South, Howell Township Public Schools, Monmouth County
Third Place: Edson’s Engineers Team from Ocean Township Intermediate School, Ocean Township School District, Monmouth County
TRENTON, N.J. – An Ocean County, New Jersey, man today admitted distributing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Alec Donovan, 26, of Brick, New Jersey, a youth wrestling coach and referee, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Zahid N. Quraishi in Trenton federal court to an information charging him with one count of distribution of child pornography.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From January 2021 through March 2021, Donovan used an internet-based application to exchange multiple images and videos of child sexual abuse, including depictions involving pre-pubescent children. Donovan also used the web-based messaging application to solicit and engage in conversations with minors, including requesting nude photographs from the minors and sending nude photographs to them.
The charge of distribution of child pornography carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 10, 2023.
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Ecker of the General Crimes Unit in Newark.
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Defense counsel: Nikole Pezzullo Esq., Freehold, New Jersey
FREEHOLD – An inmate at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) has admitted to providing a fellow inmate with the drugs that caused the overdose that killed him, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Tuesday.
Appearing before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Chad N. Cagan last Friday, Alvino Hinton, 48, of Long Branch pleaded guilty to a single count of Strict Liability for a Drug-Induced Death.
At approximately 9:05 a.m. on Sunday, April 17, 2022, MCCI officers found 31-year-old David Egner of Toms River non-responsive on the floor of his cell. First aid was immediately rendered and Egner was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, where he was diagnosed as suffering from heroin/fentanyl poisoning. He was pronounced deceased at the hospital several days later.
A cooperative investigation led by MCPO Detective Brian Hammarstrom and also involving members of the MCPO Major Crimes Bureau and Professional Responsibility and Bias Crime Unit, along with the MCCI Special Investigations Division, revealed that earlier on the same morning he was found unresponsive, Egner had entered Hinton’s cell to deliver a tray of food. At that time, Hinton admitted during his plea hearing, he provided Egner with a quantity of heroin laced with fentanyl. Hinton was formally charged in August 2022.
This case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Lisa Commentucci. Hinton is being represented by Paul E. Zager, Esq., with an office in Freehold.
Sentencing in the case has been tentatively scheduled for Friday, August 11, at which time Hinton is expected to face a term of 10 years in state prison, with at least 85 percent of the term to be served prior to the possibility of parole under the provisions of New Jersey’s No Early Release Act (NERA).
SHIP BOTTOM, NJ (OCEAN)–Burger 25 of Toms River, known for their quality food, coveted milkshakes, and creative “collabs”, is expanding their beloved brand this week when they open their second location in Ship Bottom on LBI on Thursday located at 1915 Long Beach Boulevard.
The Vetter family opened Burger 25 in Toms River nearly a decade ago and it has truly been a family affair from the start. Denise and Steve Vetter, along with their children Alexis and Aidan, continue to break barriers in the industry as they offer, not only delicious, fresh food, but a cheerful staff and an entertaining atmosphere that has become the go-to place for a great meal with family and friends. From their #1 Classic Cheeseburger, to a fan-favorite #22 Reef and Beef, no one is left out. Diners only job is to pick their favorite! The fun doesn’t stop there. They have salad and bowl options, and even feature hidden menu items from time to time. Their seasoned boardwalk fries have choices too – pair them with their famous homemade garlic ranch dipping sauce, or leave it all on the table with the Philly, Jersey, Disco, Monster, or Nashville Hot Fries, you will not be disappointed!
Owner Denise Vetter often jokes that she’s just a girl with a little burger business, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! “Building a brand was not initially a dream of ours. But when my husband started to lose his hearing, and worried that he would no longer be able to work in the mortgage business, we needed a Plan B; so we bought a little burger joint. We’ve come a long way from that first building. It may not have been in our plans, but it sure has become our passion!” Denise said.
When we asked owner Steve, why LBI?, he replied, “We love the beach town, with the different mom- and-pop shops and people walking around. It’s a place to escape to, a different vibe.” The location is prime for visitors entering the island. It has a walk-up shake window and plenty of parking, which is rare for beach communities. Burger 25 is well known for partnering with local businesses, and their LBI location will be no different within the island community. The June Burger of the Month features an Angus beef burger, with bacon, egg, and cheese, on an Ob-Co’s glazed donut. In their Ship Bottom location, they are going to be doing the same burger and collaborating with Ferrara’s Island Bakery.
Getting ready to open for the season was no small task, but the Vetter family and their contractors worked almost around the clock to get it done before the season officially begins. Later this month, the Vetter’s will host a grand opening when their daughter Alexis, and new son-in-law Robert Wasilick, return from their honeymoon. [Last weekend was their wedding, and early the following morning they left North Jersey and headed straight to LBI to put the final touches on and prepare to open.] When friends recommended they take a break, Denise replied, “There is no time for breaks. We are going all in!”
For months, residents and visitors on the island have been stopping by with excitement, anticipating the opening. “Every day we have about a dozen people come to the doors to see if we are open yet?” “We are so excited for this Thursday when we can say – Yes we are!” Denise said.
The new Burger 25 will be open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week in the summer months with the possibility of late-night hours. They plan to be open year-round.
Join them on Thursday, June 8th, as they officially open their doors.
A few photos sent in from a customer on opening day for the LBI location on June 8, 2023
2 Locations
TomsRiver
199 NJ-37 East
Toms River, NJ 08753 (732) 270-0025
LBI
1915 Long Beach Blvd Ship Bottom, NJ 08008 (609) 661-2525
SEA ISLE CITY, NJ — The U.S. Coast Guard Reports a 52-foot Viking Sky Bridge is shown after colliding with the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge causing it to sink in the Townsend’s Inlet June 6, 2023. The vessel had moored back up after the collision and all persons were safe without injury.
Exit 21 on Interstate 195 is closed
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