TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 21 - No. 35
In This Week’s Edition
2026 BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Government Page 7
Community News Pages 8-11
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 14
Inside The Law Page 21
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Visit By Yankees’ Warren A Real Hit
stripes is truly an honor. The Yankees experience has been crazy. The fans, the stadium and New York itself are a monster from the outside. “This is a dream come true. To be on the mound in front of 40,000 fans is special. If I did my job, the people who grew up as diehard Yankees fans went home with happiness,” he said. Warren has tight relationships with former New York relievers Ron Marinaccio and Mark Leiter Jr., both ex-Toms River High School North pitchers. Marinaccio is a San Diego Padres reliever. Photo by Tom Naclerio Leiter Jr. came to terms Toms River South’s head baseball coach Jim Rankin (left) and his son as an A’s bullpenner on a Chase (right), came out to meet Yankee pitcher Will Warren (center). one-year contract worth about $3 million, accordBy Chris Christopher ing to mlb.com. TOMS RIVER - It’s easy to envy Will Warren. “I am very close with Ron,” Warren said. “I played He’s young and a Yankee. together with Ron in the minors. I was pretty The New York Yankees’ starting pitcher signed bummed out when he left for San Diego. Mark autographs and mingled with an estimated 300 helped me out a lot as he is a veteran guy. He taught fans at Santos Sports Collectibles at the Ocean me how to learn from my mistakes and that if you County Mall. have a good outing to reflect on it.” “It’s quite an honor - greatest thing ever,” said The Yankees hope to be fitted for World Series Warren, 27. “You go all over the world and there are rings in 2026. Yankees logos everywhere. Just wearing the pin(Yankees - See Page 4)
School Board Passes Cell Phone Ban
January 3, 2026
Affordable Housing Agreement Seen As Victory By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – The conclusion to how many affordable housing units must be set aside in town has revealed a lower number than was initially demanded. The town has to provide for 186 units that would be part of new construction, Mayor Daniel Rodrick said. The Fair Share Housing Authority, which oversees this statewide, had wanted 670 units. Through negotiation with existing apartment complexes, the town was able to offer deed restrictions for 470 of those 670 units, he said. This is when the town pays apartment complexes to keep the rent affordable for another 20 years. Otherwise, these units would become market rate, and would price out the poor. These payments came from the town’s affordable housing trust fund, which had approximately $9 million in it, Rodrick said. The trust fund is fueled entirely by payments from developers, not taxes. This left an obligation of 200 units, he said. Town officials thought they had a strong argument to reduce that to zero. However, if they took that fight to court and lost, the result could have been thousands of new apartments. So, the responsible thing to do was to take the settlement. “We got a good deal,” he said. “After extensive discussions, Fair Share has graciously accepted the extension of controls on 448 (Housing - See Page 5)
State Might End Graduation Tests
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – The policy prohibiting cell phone use in class passed recently but an official said that it just puts in writing what is already in place. The policy included all electronic devices with the ability to record audio or video, and transmit any kind of communication to others. For the purposes of this article, they will be summed up with the term “phone.” The policy was unanimously supported by all board members at a recent meeting. “The policy the Toms River Board of Education adopted simply memorializes the things we’ve always done here in the district,” Superintendent Michael Citta
By Chris Lundy TRENTON - A bill that would eliminate the tests students need to graduate, leaving boards of education to determine graduation requirements has advanced to the State Senate. Assembly bill A-4121 would eliminate the high school graduation proficiency test, which is taken in 11th grade. Graduation requirements would be determined by local boards of education, but the State Commissioner of Education would monitor these requirements. The bill passed the Assembly (55-17-0). It now goes to the Senate Education Committee. There was considerable discussion on it during an Assembly Education Committee recently. Two people who were against the bill were given the opportunity to speak first. “There needs to be a mechanism that clearly communicates proficiency for our graduates,” said Athea Ford, vice president of government affairs for the New Jersey Business and Industry Association. Future employers need to know what graduates are capable of.
(Phone Ban - See Page 16)
(Test - See Page 17)
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