TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 17 - No. 8
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Toms River Shows Its Pride
Dunes Being Fixed After Storms
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Community News
─Photo by Sydney Kennedy
Pages 10-13
Confetti bursts over the crowd at the end of the Opening Ceremony.
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 18
Classifieds Page 22
Inside The Law Page 25
By Sydney Kennedy TOMS R I V ER – An arch of large balloons, each a different color of the rainbow, swayed over Washington Street in downtown Toms River in honor of the third annual Toms River Pride event, hosted by Exit 82 Theatre Company. Over 60 vendors
lined the street, prepared for a full day of celebration. Some passing by attendees wore flags that flitted behind them as they strolled down the street. Others brought their pets, ador ned in pride bandanas and other attire. Corinne Amoroso, a board member at Exit 82 Theatre
Company, expressed excitement “to see Toms River be part of the pride movement” and “make Exit 82 a theatre for everyone.” The day opened with speeches, includ i ng one f rom Congressman Andy K i m ( D -3rd), a nd the Pride Advocate Award ceremony to honor local activists. Later that day, per-
formances were given by The Golden Gays, Izzy Uncut and more. The event closed at 5 p.m. after a drag show. “It’s been a tough year,” Kim, who noted his involvement in the passing of the Equality Act of 2019, said onstage. “Everyone has equality. No ifs, ands or buts.” “Pride is needed in (Pride - See Page 2)
COVID Vaccinations Given During Pride
By Bob Vosseller TOMS RIVER – There were numerous organizations and businesses represented at the recently held PRIDE festival held in the township’s downtown area but Ocean Health Initiatives had a particular mis-
sion: to provide important health information and give vaccinations. Members of the staff gave Johnson and Johnson as well as Pfizer vaccines. They also gave out rainbow hand fans and back packs that proved perfect for the warm afternoon of the festival.
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OHI spokesperson Kristal Dias said, “we also have prep services and STI clinics during the week. We want everyone to know that we have these services available. We have vaccine available, health information, condoms and a lot of things today.”
OHI is a New Jer- M a n c h e s t e r a n d sey 501 (c)3 non prof- Toms River. it federally qualified “We have seven health center which different locations provides accessible and and we have ou r affordable health care school-based centers to families in the area at as well,” Dias said. its seven health center Dias noted that locations. OHI has cen- OHI’s two schoolters in Brick, Freehold, based wellness proLakewood, Little Egg g rams are at the Harbor, Manahawkin, (Vaccine - See Page 2)
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By Sydney Kennedy TOMS RIVER – Small orange cones are lined up in front of a walkover on Ortley Beach. Like security guards, an excavator, sand truck and other heavy machinery sit perched atop a hill of sand. Beach-goers sun themselves near the equipment above. It serves as an ominous reminder of a bitter Memorial Day weekend storm that left more blemishes on the beach’s landscape. “I’ve never seen the beach this short,” beachgoer Andrew Venturelli said. His wife, Connie Venturelli, wondered how much longer the heavy machinery would be parked on the beach. According to Township Engineer Bob Chankalian, the Public Works Department has been carrying out “grading work along the beaches to get rid of some of the cliffs and slopes created by the storm.” They are also “making the walkovers more accessible.” While some walkovers were buried, others formed drop-offs. If any walkover is unsafe for beachgoers to cross, it has been barricaded. (Storms - See Page 4)
Ocean County Fire Investigation At Standstill
By Alyssa Riccardi OCEAN COUNTY – The investigation on the wildfire that destroyed 167 acres of land in Lakewood and Brick Township remains at an impasse, officials said. The fire broke out on March 14, and took over a day to contain by firefighters. As a result, 29 residential properties were damaged, and two commercial buildings were destroyed. East Dover Fire Company District Chief Brian Sauers, who is also a firefighter with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service, suffered a cardiac arrest while responding to the fire. He was transported to Hackensack Meridian (Fire - See Page 4)
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