TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 16 - No. 48
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Police: Forest Fire Intentionally Set
In This Week’s Edition
BREAKING NEWS @
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Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 16
The fire destroyed two commercial buildings. “We have located the By Chris Lundy LAKEWOOD – The origin of the fire and have forest fire that destroyed concluded that the fire 167 acres, evacuated res- was intentionally set,” idents, and hospitalized Ocean County Prosecua firefighter was inten- tor Bradley D. Billhimer tionally set, investigators said. The blaze started out as said. Early in the investiga- a brush fire at 5 Airport tion, fire personnel had Road in Lakewood on determined where the the afternoon of March fire started but did not 14. It was first spotted say how it was started. by a New Jersey Forest Now, the investigation Fire Service Observation has determined the worst Tower in Lakewood. It quickly spread to buildcase scenario.
Dear Pharmacist Page 17
Classifieds Page 22
Inside The Law Page 25
─Photo courtesy Pleasant Plains Fire Company ings and multiple units responded. Ultimately, two commercial buildings were destroyed. There were 29 homes with damage to siding, sheds, and other such accessory structures. It leaped across the Garden State Parkway, closing that road and several others. The New Jersey Forest Fire Service reported that it claimed 167 acres. Firefighters battled
it overnight. The fire spread through dry conditions and high winds. A firefighter from the New Jersey Forest Fire Service suffered cardiac arrest during these efforts. He was transported to Hackensack Meridian Ocean Medical Center in Brick Township where he is reported to be in stable condition. “The significance of this wildland fire cannot be (Fire - See Page 2)
State Holds Hearing Over Poor Service By Altice/Optimum
By Bob Vosseller NEW JERSEY – At least 11 municipalities called for action during a state Board of Public Utilities hearing over poor performance and customer service by Altice, the French-owned cable conglomerate that operates the Optimum
brand. Among the Ocean County communities represented at the sixhou r he a r i ng we r e Jackson, Toms River, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park and Lavallette. They joined other municipalities such as Howell in Monmouth
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County and communities in Middlesex and other counties. The hearing included two representatives f rom Altice. It was designed to address ratepayers’ concerns. Va r iou s mu n ic ip a l officials, town attorneys and citizens said
they were looking for concrete actions from Altice to improve the performance of internet service as well as their customer service. Lawanda Gilbert, the director of the board’s office of television and telecommunications introduced the presi-
dent of the board, Joseph Fiordaliso who said, “this matter was initiated based on numerous complaints to the board from many Altice/Optimum customers and elected officials throughout the state regarding their
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(Altice - See Page 18)
March 27, 2021
Police: New Law Prevents Investigating Child Marijuana Use
By Bob Vosseller POINT PLEASANT BEACH – Even before the passage of November ballot question regarding legalization of marijuana, residents, municipal leaders and law enforcement agencies pondered how it would be administrated. When new state laws were announced in Trenton, it didn’t take long for them to receive criticism by many Ocean County municipal leaders. Police said the new laws were “handcuffing” their ability to do their jobs. Point Pleasant Beach Police Chief Joseph A. Michigan, who serves as president of the Ocean County Chiefs of Police Association, joined 30th District Sen. Robert W. Singer, 10th District Assemblyman John Catalano, Director of the Ocean County Board of (Rally - See Page 8)
Toms River Schools: We Need Your Voice
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – As the school district is facing a loss of another $8.1 million in state aid, officials urged the public to once again speak up to prompt some change in Trenton. They asked residents to call or email the Governor’s Office, the Senate President’s Office, the Assembly Speaker’s Office, and other legislators on March 24. The district provided contact information, talking points, and sample emails. If you still wish to help, that information can be found here: trschools.com/communit y/ march-24-marked-as-day-to-call-emailstate-officials There is strength in numbers, and the school district hoped that a “blitz” of (Schools - See Page 4)
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