Over 30 officers participated in the arrests this morning that included New Jersey State Police and Toms River Police k-9 units and members of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office.

Jihad Burns is being held in Ocean County Jail on $100,000 bail no 10%  and Zahid Evans $200,000 cash bail set by Ocean County Superior Court Judge Wendel Daniels.

This investigation began with information provided to the Toms River Police Selective enforcement team.  Detective Captain Bruce Burgess wanted to thank residents of the apartment complex on Route 166 with their assistance in providing information with respected to suspicious activity occurring at the complex.  Anyone with information about suspicious activity can contact Sergeant Shaun O’Keefe at 349-0150 ext 1272.

Photo Courtesy Cincinnati Reds.

On Wednesday, Toms River native and Cincinnati Reds utility man Todd Frazier got penciled in the starting lineup at third base against the New York Mets at Citi Field.    With friends and family in the stands watching his second game in the Big Apple, Frazier stunned hometown fans with two home runs.

The first came in the top of the 7th inning with the Reds down 3-1, Frazier hit a deep fly ball to right center off Mets ace Johan Santana.   As Mets right fielder Lucas Duda chased Frazier’s hit to the fence and jumped up for the grab, Mets fans were cheering the out, until they realized Frazier was rounding the bases and Duda’s glove was empty.     Frazier’s solo homer cut the Mets lead in half.

In the 8th inning, the Reds scored two runs and took a 4-3 lead over the Mets.   In his next plate appearance, Frazier belted the first pitch from Mets reliever D.J. Carrasco deep over the center field wall, giving the Reds a two more insurance runs.

The Reds will play the Mets again tonight before a three game inter-league play series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

Toms River Police are investigating a robbery that occurred 330 p.m. Sunday afternoon at an apartment at the Villages of Bey Lea.  Two black males rang the doorbell of an apartment and once the victim answered it they forced their way into the apartment and indicted that had weapons.  The suspects assaulted three victims in the apartment,  the resident Ryan Maletto 25 and two male brick  resident s 23 and 25 years old  that were visiting.

All three victims were transported to community medical center for injuries that received when they were assaulted during the robbery. The suspects reportedly fled with over $400 in cash,  a $17,000 gold necklace and 30 Roxicets pills.

Police are looking for two black males one 6’ 200 lbs, with four gold teeth wearing a blue long sleeve shirt, blue jeans, sunglasses and a black baseball cap.  The other male is described as 5’9” 220 lbs, corn row hairstyle, wearing tan pants and shirt and a tan baseball cap.

Investigating are the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, Officers Art Pennell, Frank Moschella, anyone with information is requested to call Detective Chris Fluck at 349-0150 ext 1222.

(Photo courtesy of Debbi Winogracki) Homeowner Maria Bertolini and her sister Kathy More discuss the fire damage to her property, with Toms River Mayor Thomas Kelaher and Suzan Fichtner, Executive Director of the Northern Ocean County Habitat for Humanity.

Mayor Thomas Kelaher has always said that one of the best things about Toms River is the spirit of volunteerism, and now he is actively reaching out to the community to help assist a local family who is homeless due to a structural fire at their single-story ranch home.

Deemed uninhabitable, the house at 201 Cedar Grove Avenue can be restored, with a little help from the public, and a good contractor with time to donate.

Maria Bertolini, 58, says that around midnight on Monday, May 7^th, she was awakened by a pounding at her door.  A passerby noticed that her roof was on fire and the stranger shouted at everyone to get out of the house.  Bertolini was able to get her two sons, ages 26 & 28, out of the house, along with the family pets, two dogs and two cats.

A teary-eyed Bertolini says, “I don’t know who that woman was, but she saved our lives.  I never got to properly thank her for what she did.”

The home has lots of smoke and water damage.  The couches and beds are all water damaged and all of the flooring will have to be replaced.  Their bedrooms and clothing are salvageable.

The Northern Ocean County Habitat for Humanity is stepping in to help rebuild the family home. Suzan Fichtner, their Executive Director stated, “We had a fire expert come and we know what this project will require.  Most of the house can be salvaged, but the requirements needed to begin the project are beyond our immediate capabilities.  We can build and rehab houses, but right now, we need a contractor to step up and take charge of the project.  We’ll supply the materials, but we need someone with expertise to help us start clearing out the debris and rebuild the house.”

Fichtner adds, “Two engineers have seen the house and say that the garage, family room, and portions of both the living room and kitchen will need to be rebuilt.  The bedrooms are fine, so there’s no question that we can save this house.  Our goal is to have the family back in their home within six months, hopefully sooner.”  Bertolini and her sister Kathy More are thankful that people have already donated items to the family such as gift cards and food.  Bertolini went on disability in November due to Diabetic retinopathy, which is a condition caused by damage to the blood vessels of the retina.  She is currently getting laser therapy to preserve the vision that she has left.  With no means of viable income, the Bertolini’s are desperately relying on the kindness of strangers to help out during this time of need.

Kathy More says of her sister, “She just can’t seem to catch a break.  She lost her husband when the kids were 3 and 5 years old.  She used his life insurance money to purchase this home so that the kids could walk to Cedar Grove Elementary School.  Maria spent six years getting through college, working two jobs, while taking care of her two sons, one of whom is mentally disabled.   She still has $30,000 in student loans to pay back, she doesn’t have homeowners’ insurance, she is losing her vision, and now this house fire.  The bad news doesn’t seem to end for her.” For now, Maria and her adult children will be living with Maria’s sister and her family, sharing a bedroom until housing is found for them.

Mayor Kelaher hopes that the residents of Toms River and surrounding areas will pitch in to help this struggling family.  He says, “This family is very appreciative for the donations they have received thus far, especially the Georgian Court University Campus Ministry, where Maria worked.  They were able to coordinate an effort to collect donations.”

Kelaher says, “We are looking for monetary donations, non-perishable food, toiletries and paper products, gift cards, and even a storage POD donation.  The family wants to be able to salvage what furniture they can.”

Anyone interested in helping Bertolini’s family through donations of time, supplies or even volunteer labor once the rebuild begins can do so via the Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity, located at 1201 Lakewood Road.  For more information, visit www.northernoceanhabitat.com or call 732-818-9500.

(Photo courtesy Debbi Winogracki) ADK Realty and Consulting Services recently held a Grand Opening for their newly relocated office at 1071 Route 37 West. Attending the Ribbon Cutting are Councilman Alfonso Manforti and Council President Maurice “Mo” Hill on either side of the owner, JoAnn Petrizzo.

ADK Realty and Consulting Services recently held a Grand Opening for their newly relocated office at 1071 Route 37 West, in the shopping plaza by Favorites, in Toms River.

Owner/Broker JoAnn Petrizzo said, “I brought on more agents so I needed more space.  We have a dozen full time employees and seven part-time employees at this time.”

Toms River Township Councilman Mo Hill attended the ribbon cutting ceremony. “I think she’ll get more traffic at this Route 37 location.  There’s a little more activity in this shopping plaza than she previously had on Church Road, so I think her business will be very successful.”

Petrizzo adds, “We are a full service real estate agency.  Right now in terms of real estate, prices are down and inventory is down, as well.  I think that it will stabilize and start to go back up.  People are looking for housing and we can’t keep inventory because everything’s selling so fast.

“Real estate has and will always be a good investment and I predict a good year for the housing market.”

For more information contact them at www.adkrealtyandconsulting.com.

(Photo courtesy Debbi Winogracki) Mayor Kelaher, Councilman Brian Kubiel, Attorney Peter Van Dyke, and Reverend David Joynt were diligently working their cell phones trying to raise money to “post bail” for their release from the Malawian-style jail. The foursome raised funds to give to the Presbyterian Church of Toms River for their “Toms River for Africa Festival.”

Malawi, Africa is the fourth poorest country in the world, with 13 million people and an unemployment rate of 70%.  Most Malawians live on less than a dollar a day.  Despite their extreme poverty, the people of Malawi are happy and resourceful, thanks in part to the volunteers from Toms River.

Reverend David M. Joynt from the Presbyterian Church of Toms River spearheaded the second “Toms River for Africa Festival” at Winding River Park to raise money for the impoverished country.

Water for Life

Reverend Joynt said, “Last year we were able to raise $25,000, so we built 12 wells in the Sekata district in Malawi.  The villagers had to walk for miles just to get clean water and it was taking up time from their lives in the community, time from work, and away from their family time.”  Joynt adds, “The Malawians are a very isolated population.  There are no vehicles, no electricity or roads to travel on.  It would take hours to get to clean drinking water and days to get to a health clinic. We had created a sense of hope for them when they found out we were coming.  They are very thankful to the people of Toms River.”

The Presbyterian Church of Toms River joined with the Allentown Presbyterian Church who created Villages in Partnership (VIP).  Together they provide clean drinking water to several villages in Malawi, Africa.   Every day, there are over 10,000 children under the age of five who die from water-related illnesses and over 12 million people a year who die from a lack of safe drinking water.

Tori Pruner, Associate Pastor from the Presbyterian Church of Toms River said, “This year we’re adding help with their clinic, schools, and additional wells. We’re helping 10 villages and 20,000 people.  I went to Malawi last year and saw that the people are so filled with joy, even though they have nothing. They are extremely happy that their life will be changing.”  The Malawians will build the wells and the church will provide the engineering.  “Another part of our program is to teach them how to grow crops so that they can live using the agricultural tools to succeed.  For instance, they didn’t know to turn over crops and use the fields for another crop during certain months of the year.” The goal of VIP is to provide resources for the Malawians to live off their land.

(Photo courtesy Debbi Winogracki) Registrant’s line up for the “Paws for Africa” one mile dog walk to raise funds for the people of Malawi, Africa. The Presbyterian Church of Toms River held this event during their “Toms River for Africa Festival.”

Currently, there is a clinic that is open just one day per week and another goal of VIP is to keep it open twice a week.  The current wait is 6-12 months just to get an appointment for cancer treatment.  The sheer number of people wanting to be treated and the medical supplies needed at the clinic can be overwhelming for the doctors providing care.

Mayor and Councilman go to jail…for a good cause

Toms River Township Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher and Councilman Brian Kubiel contributed to the fundraising activities. Kelaher said, “This is the second year they’ve done this and I decided to participate again because it’s such a worthwhile cause.  Reverend Joynt should be commended for his outreach program to the people of Malawi. It must have been extremely gratifying to get clean drinking water for these people who all of their life had to carry a bucket on their head just to get clean drinking water.”

To raise funds, the mayor and councilman, along with Joynt and local Attorney Peter Van Dyke, were each sent to “jail” until they could raise enough money to “post bail.”  The men were led to a simulated Malawian jail, which was about the size of a typical house.  Each person had to call on friends and family to raise a minimum of $600 each to get out of jail.

“Paws for Africa”

The day of events also included a one mile dog walk, a 5K Fun Run and a Bike/Trike-a-Thon so that all age groups, and family members, could participate in raising funds for Villages in Partnership.

If you would like to make a donation to help the people of Malawi, contact the church at www.pctr.org.

(Photo courtesy of Debbi Winogracki) The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Toms River Township Animal Shelter took place on Oak Avenue, across from the Police station, where additions to the courtroom will soon take place. Shown L to R: Joanne Flanagan, Court Administrator, JoAnn Benson, Director of Senior Services for Toms River, (seated) Sylvia Schnache, Advocate for the Animal Shelter, Jim Bowen, Division Manager for the Animal Shelter, Council President Mo Hill, Councilman Brian Kubiel, Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher, and Councilmen George Wittmann, Jeffrey Carr and Al Manforti.

The long-awaited groundbreaking ceremony for the new Toms River Animal Shelter took place on April 10^th on the grounds of their future location on Oak Avenue, adjacent to the Police Station.   On the site of the animal shelter there is a sign stating that the contract was awarded on March 13, 2012 and the expected opening is December 2013.

The current location of the Animal Shelter is on Whitesville Road, by Route 70, towards Lakewood.  Toms River Township Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher said, “The shelter is way out on the outskirts of town and is very small and antiquated.  They were euthanizing animals at a higher rate than the ASPCA permits.  There are simply not enough adoptions, which is yet another reason to move the facility to a more centralized location.”

Kelaher added, “We already own this property on Oak Avenue, so we didn’t have to pay for it. The revenue from the sale of the old land will go to help pay for the new construction.”

According to the Toms River Township Engineer, Robert J. Chankalian, the new shelter is 7,900 square feet, which is about three times the size of the old shelter. “The new facility has proper space for cats and quarantine areas for both cats and dogs, as per the Board of Health, that the old facility does not have,” Chankalian said.

The shelter will also have outside pens, but will generally house all animals inside for increased noise reduction and HVAC efficiency.

The project was funded by an earlier bond ordinance as part of the 2010 capital budget and is one element of a three-part project. The New Animal Shelter, a Court Room Expansion & Police Department Façade Improvements will cost a combined total of $5.9 million.

At last month’s council meeting, Kelso Construction was awarded the $5.9 million dollar contract to complete the projects.

The animals should be able to move in within 18 months.  For those interested in adopting a pet sooner, you can view a list of adoptable pets by looking up the Animal Shelter on the township website at www.tomsrivertownship.com.  The Toms River Animal Shelter is also looking for extra volunteers to help care for the animals.

(Photo courtesy Debbi Winogracki)Toms River Township Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher congratulates 5 year old Christian Murtha, with his father Dave, for throwing out the first pitch of the season at the Toms River East Little League Field.

It’s never too late to report a good story we might have missed…

A little rain didn’t deter opening ceremonies for two Toms River Little League ceremonies.  Toms River Township Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher and members of the Township Council visited both fields to help usher in the baseball season.

The Toms River Little League teams, who play on Mapletree Avenue, hosted a re-dedication for one of their fields, known as the Frank Simon Memorial Field.  Simon was one of the original Toms River Little League Board Members and helped found the Little League.

Mark Angelo, Treasurer of the League said, “Frank Simon was a Coach, a Little League Member, a volunteer, and he helped start our minor league program during our first 10 years. Toms River Little League is now 59 years old.”  At the ceremony, Angelo added, “We welcome the family of Frank Simon, Sharon and David, daughter and son…as we re-dedicate Simon Field in honor of your father.”

Proud son David Simon said, “This field looks nothing like it did when my father coached. There’s paved parking now, and the fields just look beautiful.  This is a great thing for the kids.

After I stopped playing, my dad still wanted to coach and be involved with the Little League, so he coached and I was his assistant.”

Photo courtesy Debbi Winogracki) The Toms River Little League teams hosted a re-dedication for one of their fields, known as the Frank Simon Memorial Field. Simon was one of the original Toms River Little League Board Members and helped found the Little League.

Toms River Township Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher, Council President Maurice Hill and Councilman Jeff Carr assisted in the unveiling ceremony of the new sign, where onlookers applauded as the sign was revealed.

Over at the Toms River East Little League field on Windsor Avenue, a lengthy parade led into their opening ceremonies.  One of the newest members of the game, five year old Christian Murtha, threw out the first pitch to one of the older members, 16 year old Jake Rickett.

Mayor Kelaher said, “It’s exciting to see to see the older boys welcoming in the new crop of Little Leaguers. Baseball has a longstanding tradition in Toms River and we’re hoping to see our teams in the playoffs again.”

For more information about the teams, log onto www.trll.us or www.leaguelineup.com/trell

“CommunityMedicalCenteris the leading health care facility inOceanCounty, providing high-quality healthcare to my residents for over 50 years. InOceanCountythe prevalence of heart disease is among the highest in the State, yet residents are forced to travel out of the county for life-saving cardiac care because there are no hospitals nearby that provide cardiac surgery. This is unacceptable,” said Toms River Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher. “We are calling on the State to swiftly approve cardiac surgery services at CMC. My neighbors, the residents of this town and the seniors ofOceanCountydeserve immediate access to cardiac surgery.”

OceanCountyis the largest county inNew Jerseywithout cardiac surgery services, despite having one of the highest concentrations of senior citizens in the State, a population that is overwhelmingly affected by heart disease. MoreOceanCountyresidents die from heart disease, are treated for heart attacks and undergo cardiac surgeries than in any other county inNew Jersey.

“The town ofManchesterhas more seniors than any other town in the entire State ofNew Jersey, yet we have no access to cardiac surgery. This makes no sense. My residents are getting older and sicker, making access to cardiac surgery services even more vital,” said Mayor Mike Fressola ofManchester. “Our elderly residents should not have to travel miles and miles away for cardiac surgery they could receive right here at CMC.  We need to stop cheating our seniors out of the cardiac care they rightly deserve.”

ManyOceanCountyresidents must travel nearly 30 miles to the closest cardiac surgery program. This presents unnecessary delays and risks to patient safety as they are transported to other hospitals far away from family, loved ones and their physicians.

“The town ofBerkeley, likeManchester, has one of the top senior populations in the State ofJersey.  Nevertheless, many in my community have no option but to travel out of the county for care.  If you have heart disease and require surgery, it is critical that you receive it without delay,” said Mayor Carmen Amato of Berkeley.  “It’s high time we put patient safety first, and protect the most vulnerable citizens of our State. The time is now to bring cardiac surgery to the people ofOceanCounty.”

April 2, 2012.

Beach badges will be available at the pre-season rate of $35 per badge until Monday, May 28, 2012.

Seasonal pool badge prices are as follows (note that pool badges are sold at the Recreation Administration Building only):

Resident adult- $100.00

Resident senior or child- $50.00

Non-resident adult- $200.00

Non-resident senior or child- $100.00

Badges will be sold Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM, at the following locations:

Recreation Administration Building               Toms River Senior Center

1810 Warren Point Road                                652 Garfield Ave.

Toms River                                                      Toms River

732-341-1000 x8415                                       732-341-1000 x8462

Badges will also be sold on Memorial Day Weekend, May 26, 27, and 28, 2012, at the Ortley Beach Fourth Avenue Lifeguard Headquarters.