The outdoor season may be coming to a close in Asbury Park and Brick Township, but locations in Princeton and New Brunswick remain in prime season.

ASBURY FRESH

Asbury Fresh has come a long way since its opening season in 2012 when five vendors set up for selling. According to the market's website, this is New Jersey's largest local artisan and farmers' market -- with more than 55 farmers and handmade artisan vendors participating on a weekly basis. For those who have yet to check it out, now's the time -- it closes for the season on on Sept. 10. The final three opportunities to shop will be will be 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, and 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Sept. 10. The complete list of vendors can be found here. Kennedy Park, Cookman and Grand Avenues, in Asbury Park.    

BRICK FARMERS' MARKET

Like Asbury, the end of the selling season is fast approaching, with just two more shopping days remaining:  9 a.m. to noon Sept. 5 and 12. DeWolf Farms has strawberries, blackberries, tomatoes, peppers and more. Beckage Farms brings a full line of fruits, vegetables, and honey and dutch backed goods. Have a pickle craving? Jaker's Pickles is the place to settle it. Marinated mushrooms, stuffed olives, pickled mangoes and pineapples are some of the other flavorful items vendors bring on a weekly basis. Windward Beach Park, 265 Princeton Ave., Brick Township

PRINCETON FARMERS' MARKET

Residents, students, faculty members, or those just strolling through town on Thursdays should consider swinging by Hinds Plaza, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. There are organic vegetables from Cherry Grove Organic Farm and Chickadee Creek Farm; Greek yogurt, plain yogurt, ricotta and mozzarella cheese from Fulper Farms; as well as fresh chickens, eggs, beef, pork and lamb from Lima Family Farms. (Here's the complete list of vendors.) This one remains open, rain or shine, through Nov. 19.   

RUTGERS GARDEN FARM MARKET

This partnership between the Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station continues to provide a variety of locally grown products -- meats, cheeses, poultry, vegetables and baked goods. This weekly market is held 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays through November. Hort Farm No. 1 - Office Building, 112 Ryders Lane, New Brunswick.

As an added bonus, the group is hosting its inaugural Garden Party 5 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Log Cabin and Alumni Pavilion, 140 Log Cabin Road. This foodie night out will include food and wine offerings from vendors along with a special appearance from award-winning journalist and chef, Rachel Weston. Her recently published book, "New Jersey Fresh: Four Seasons of Farm to Table," is likely to be a hot topic of discussion as it features five of the market's vendors. Tickets are $100 for Rutgers Garden Members and $125 for non-members. Call 732-932-8451. 

Contact Bill Gelman at bkgelman@hotmail.com. Find NJ.com Food on Facebook.

Comedienne's daughter admits she told Barnegat man she was 19

TOMS RIVER-- The daughter of Rosie O'Donnell told a judge Friday she lied about her age to the 25-year-old Barnegat man she was found with after running away from home last month, app.com reported.

Chelsea O'Donnell appeared at a bail hearing for Steven M. Sheerer, who has been charged with sending her a nude picture, admitting she told the man she was 19. The daughter of the comedienne was 17 at the time. Chelsea O'Donnell was later found at Sheerer's home unharmed a few days after she ran away from her mother's New York State home Aug. 11.

RELATED: Judge maintains bail for man found with Chelsea O'Donnell 

Sheerer was charged with child endangerment and distribution of obscenity to a minor. Following O'Donnell's admission in court Friday, Sheerer's bail has been reduced to $10,000 with a 10 percent cash option. The judge also lifted a provision barring Sheerer from having contact with O'Donnell, who has since turned 18 and wants to see Sheerer, his attorney said.

 Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PaulMilo2. FindNJ.com on Facebook

Gaudencio Cruz Martinez, 24, of Lakeswood, was arrested Friday on charges of sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement.

Gaudencio Cruz Martinez, 24, of LakewoodOcean County Prosecutor's Office 

LAKEWOOD -- A 24-year-old man has been accused of sexually assaulting a girl starting when she was 13 years old, authorities said.

Gaudencio Cruz Martinez, of Lakeswood, was arrested Friday on charges of sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said in a statement.

Investigators say Martinez knew the girl, who is now 14 years old, he's accused of sexually assaulting.

Martinez was remanded to Ocean County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail with no 10-percent option. A no-victim contact order was also issued and Immigration and Customs Enforcement was notified, authorities said.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

 

A Jackson couple stranded in Portugal with their premature newborn baby was set to return home this weekend, PEOPLE magazine reported Friday.

JACKSON - A Jackson couple stranded in Portugal with their premature newborn baby was set to return home this weekend, PEOPLE magazine reported Friday.

The couple - Kim Kirzow Spratt and Fred Spratt - needed medical transportation for their surviving baby, the report said. Insurer Highmark Blue Shield said it would pay for the special plane this week after appeals.

Kim Kirzow Spratt gave birth to twins 13 weeks before they were due while on a "babymoon" getaway in May, the Asbury Park Press reported. Their son, Hudson Charles, died while daughter Hayden Grace was fighting to survive.

U.S. Rep. Chris Smith moved to help get the insurance firm to fund the medical transport home.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Police said the man was by the pool alone for around 15 minutes. When his friends returned, he was in the pool and not breathing.

The man was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River. Police do not know his status as of Sunday morning. (File photo by Robert Sciarrino | The Star Ledger). 

TOMS RIVER -- A 54-year-old man was rushed to the hospital Saturday evening after his friends found him unconscious in the pool, police said.

At around 6:40 p.m., police and medical units responded to the 400 block of 8^th Avenue in Ortley Beach.

When officers arrived, they found a man, only identified as a 54-year-old male, unconscious, police said.

Police said the man was by the pool alone for around 15 minutes. When his friends returned, he was in the pool and not breathing.

The man's friends called 911, removed him from the pool, and then started performing CPR on him, police said. Officers and medical personnel who responded continued giving the man CPR, before he was rushed to Community Medical Center in Toms River.

Police do not know the man's current status as of Sunday morning. 

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Two teenagers were charged with multiple offenses Sunday following the robbery of a Route 37 convenience store.

TOMS RIVER - Two teenagers were charged with multiple offenses Sunday following the robbery of a Route 37 convenience store.

Shortly after 3 a.m. on Sunday, police responded to an alarm at the 7-Eleven located at 3101 Route 37 East.

The clerk informed police officers that a young male wearing sunglasses handed him a note that said: "Let's make this easy" and demanded $1,000, police said.

Igor Gonzalez, 19, of Mendham, and a minor in the car he was driving were both charged with multiple offenses following the robbery of a Toms River 7-11, police said. (Toms River Police Department)Rob Spahr | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com 

The clerk refused and the subject fled in a BMW and a vehicle description was then sent out to surrounding police officers and departments, authorities said.

Within an hour, Ocean County Sheriff's Officers Stephen Capoano and P. Sickinger located the suspect vehicle in Seaside Heights. 

The Officers, who were on supplemental patrol at the time, detained the vehicle and its occupants at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Ocean Terrace until the arrival of Toms River Police investigators, authorities said.

Toms River Officer Lawrence DiFabio arrived in Seaside Heights and determined that the two subjects inside of the vehicle were the ones responsible for the incident at the 7-11, police said.

The investigation determined that Igor Gonzalez, 19, of Mendham, was the driver of the 2003 BMW and that his passenger, a 17-year-old male from King Street in Toms River, was the one who entered the store with the intentions of committing the robbery, police said.

Both subjects remained held on charges of second-degree robbery and possession of marijuana, as well as 300 Xanax pills, as of Sunday afternoon.

Gonzalez was held on $75,000 bail and the juvenile was housed in the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center with no bail, pending an appearance before a judge.   

Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheRobSpahr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

 

A 22-year-old Englishtown man sustained "significant" injuries after the car he was traveling in overturned on Route 37, police said.

MANCHESTER - A 22-year-old Englishtown man sustained "significant" injuries after the car he was traveling in overturned on Route 37, police said.

Shortly after 11:04 p.m. on Saturday, Manchester Township police responded to the area of Route 37 and Colonial Drive for the report of an overturned vehicle.

When officers arrived they found a silver 2012 Chevrolet Impala on its roof in the eastbound lanes of Route 37, just past the intersection of Colonial Drive, police said.

A 22-year-old Englishtown man sustained "significant" injuries after the car he was traveling in overturned on Route 37, police said. (Manchester Township Police Department)Rob Spahr | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com 

An initial investigation determined that the Impala was traveling west on Route 37 when it failed to maintain its lane of travel and collided head-on with the concrete center divider in the area of Colonial Drive, police said.

The vehicle then went airborne, crossed over the concrete divider and traveled approximately 70 feet, before it flipped over onto its passenger side and rolled onto its roof in the eastbound lanes of Route 37, police said.

After the car landed in the eastbound lanes, it continued to slide on its roof in a westbound direction until it finally came to a stop, approximately 320 feet from initial impact with the median, police said

The driver - identified as Eric Larson, 21, of Jackson - was properly restrained at the time of collision and refused any medical treatment at the scene, authorities said.

The passenger, 22-year-old Taylor Bromberg, of Englishtown, was also properly restrained, but sustained significant abdominal injuries, police said.

The Manchester Township Volunteer First Aid Squad transported Bromberg to Community Medical Center in Toms River where his condition was not known by police as of Sunday afternoon.

Paramedics from MONOC as well as members of the Manchester Township Volunteer Fire Department, and the New Jersey State Department of Transportation, assisted at the scene.

The crash remained under investigation by Patrolman Ian Bole of the Manchester Township Police Department's Traffic Safety Section as of Sunday afternoon.

Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheRobSpahr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The Spratt family is now back home after an overseas ordeal.

JACKSON -- A New Jersey family stranded for months in Portugal after the premature birth of their daughter is back in New Jersey, according to a report.

WABC-TV reported that Kim Kirzow Spratt, Fred Spratt and baby Hayden touched down in a special medical transport plane around 2 p.m. Sunday at Teterboro Airport. 

Spratt gave birth in May to twins 13 weeks early on a "babymoon" trip to Portugal, the report said. Hayden's twin brother, Hudson, did not survive, and Hayden needed special medical equipment to make the transatlantic flight.

RELATED: N.J. couple stranded in Portugal with infant set to return home, report says

The Spratt family, from Jackson, was originally denied insurance coverage for the costly medical flight home, but after the case received widespread attention, Highmark Blue Shield reversed the decision, the report said. 

NEW VIDEO: plane touched down! Mom who was in Portugal & gave birth early just arrived w daughter & husband @ABC7NY pic.twitter.com/tvmlhPzPGd

-- Kemberly Richardson (@kemrichardson7) September 6, 2015

Brian Amaral may be reached at bamaral@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bamaral44. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

The NJSPCA said the woman has been banned from owning pets for seven years.

LAKEWOOD -- A township woman who hoarded more than 30 dogs in a trash-strewn abandoned home was fined $1,900 and banned from owning pets for seven years, according to New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals police. 

The woman was found guilty of two counts of animal cruelty, the NJSPCA said.

RELATED: Hazmat crews needed to rescue 40 dogs from abandoned N.J. home

The Asbury Park Press reported that the woman, Laura Giacini, was accused of hoarding animals covered in their own waste in a trash-strewn home on Spruce Street. The situation was so bad that crews needed HazMat gear to clear the scene.

All the dogs were taken in by rescues and shelters, the NJSPCA said. 

Brian Amaral may be reached at bamaral@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bamaral44. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

The Philadelphia native reportedly visited a restaurant in Ocean City and an ice cream shop in Brigantine

OCEAN CITY -- Actor Bradley Cooper spent part of his summer vacation last month dipping in the cool waters of Italy's Amalfi Coast.

But when it came to the week leading up to Labor Day, the Philadelphia native headed to New Jersey.

According to a report on People.com, Cooper -- who appeared in "Silver Linings Playbook" and the "Hangover" movies -- was spotted in several towns in southern New Jersey and along the Jersey Shore over the past week.

On Thursday, the star posed for a photo with employees at Bob's Grill on the Ocean City boardwalk, the report states.

Mary Grace Carson, a 17-year-old waitress at the restaurant, told the Press of Atlantic City that she was glad she chose to work at Bob's Grill for her summer job this year.

"It was so cool, he was really polite and took pictures with all the girls," Carson said, referring to Cooper, according to the newspaper's report.

Below is a tweet featuring Cooper's photo with staff members at Bob's Grill:

ICYMI Yes, that was Bradley Cooper in Brigantine and Ocean City #southjersey #bradleycooper http://t.co/ebotou4VGj pic.twitter.com/j5CdsgsFUP

-- Life (@ACPressLife) September 4, 2015

The report, citing Twitter posts, also states that Cooper visited Richman's Ice Cream shop in Brigantine on Wednesday night. After he finished eating his ice cream, Cooper came into the shop and took pictures with customers and staff, the report states.

Brigantine resident Liz Harper, who was at the ice cream shop with her family, made sure to get a picture with Cooper, the report states.

Harper initially didn't want to bother Cooper, but she ultimately thought, "I have to get one at least. It was a once in a lifetime thing. I either got a picture then or I would kick myself for years to come," according to the report.

Here's a tweet with a photo of Cooper at Richman's Ice Cream shop:

Bradley Cooper makes surprise visit to Jersey Shore spots: http://t.co/TeQqWHjd2q pic.twitter.com/qnb4pvgGws

-- NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) September 5, 2015

Bill Wichert may be reached at bwichert@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillWichertNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Thousands of visitors flocked to Jersey Shore beachfronts on Labor Day. Watch video

After consecutive summers of being extremely uncooperative, Mother Nature had a change of heart this Labor Day weekend and gave visitors plenty of sunshine to enjoy during summer's traditional curtain call.

As a result, beaches and boardwalks up and down the Jersey Shore were packed on Monday.

"If we get a nice day before it gets too cold I'm sure we'll try to get back down here again, but Labor Day is really the last hurrah before it starts to get cold out," Freehold resident Steve Capelli said while hanging out with a group of friends on the beach near Pier Village in Long Branch on Monday.

Thousands of beachgoers flocked to the Point Pleasant Boardwalk on Labor Day 2015. (Rob Spahr | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)
 

RELATED: Shore towns, beachgoers hoping for fitting end to 'record' summer

While beachfront parking in some shore towns was priced as high as $30 on Monday, Belmar wiped away all of its fees for beachfront parking and beach tags for the day.

"Today, Labor Day, is the unofficial last day of the summer season and it has been our best summer ever here in Belmar," Mayor Matt Doherty said. "We've had record-breaking revenue this summer thanks to the hundreds of thousands of people who chose to come to Belmar this summer. So as a small showing of appreciation and thanks, we decided to offer both free beach parking and free beach access today. And hopefully by ending the summer with a free day at the beach, it will give people a good feeling heading into next summer."

Belmar's previous high for beach tag revenue was approximately $3.2 million in 2010. Through Monday, the borough had brought in more than $3.7 million, Doherty said.

"The weather really worked with us this year. The summer tourism season was also longer this year. We had more weeks to work with, because Memorial Day was earlier and Labor Day was about as late as it could have been," Doherty said. "We know we're not going to have those kinds of summers too often, so we're fortunate to be in a financial position where we're literally able to squirrel away some of this year's revenue and literally save it for a rainy day."

Long Branch was also ahead of its 2014 beach tag sales with about two week left before Labor Day and on Monday, the city's beachfront was packed.

Many shore-area businesses benefited from this year's busier tourism season, regardless of how much of the summer they were open for.

The Marina restaurant in Oceanport opened the week before The Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park Racetrack and borough officials say it has consistently had good crowd. As has Tommy's Tavern & Tap in Sea Bright, which has seemingly been packed every night since it opened in a former Post Office building that was ravaged by Hurricane Sandy.

One of the Jersey Shore's newest businesses locations - Gracie and the Dudes Organic Ice Cream in Pier Village - was only open for about two weeks before Labor Day.

"Things have been going good so far. And the more that people have started to notice that the store is open, it's been getting increasingly busy," Gabrielle Granier, an employee at the Long Branch location, said on Monday. "Yesterday was really busy here and at our other store in Sea Bright, the line was literally and onto the sidewalk, which was busier than the Fourth of July."

In Point Pleasant Beach, crowds were still arriving at the boardwalk well past 6 p.m. on Monday.

However, after the sun went done the focus of many moved away from summer and to the long ride home, and the great things that are yet to come.

"I don't really want summer to be over, but I feel like I'm a little bit ready for fall," said Eatontown resident Audrey Bigliotti, while playing in the sand on a Long Branch beach with her 1-year-old daughter, Joyce. "I get excited for pumpkin coffee and that's out now, so it's like the season's turning already."

There was something else that Bigliotti said she was looking forward to now that the traditional summer season is over.

"Less traffic," she said.

Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheRobSpahr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Officials said no structures are in danger, and no injuries have been reported.

WOODLAND TWP. -- Smoke from a forest fire near the border of Burlington and Ocean counties that has consumed hundreds of acres of the Pine Barrens can be smelled as far away as New York City, according to a report by NBC New York.

Scent of the fire could have reached the New York City boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, according to the report.

This is why you may have smelled smoke in Brooklyn and Queens last night: http://t.co/5x2tGMvTYa

-- NBC New York (@NBCNewYork) September 8, 2015

In a statement posted on Facebook Monday night, The Ocean County Sheriff's Department said people as far away as Toms River might smell smoke from the fire.

It is stil unclear what started the fire, but officials said no structures are in danger and no injuries have been reported.

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Larry Hajna said a 1,000-acre fire for this time of year is a little unusual but not uncommon. He said the area is pretty dry so they were at a heightened level of awareness.

Containment lines are expected to keep the fire inside 1,000 acres. The fire is about 50-percent contained, according to a report by CBS Philly. However, it could take several days to bring the fire under control.

Hajna said they don't anticipate the fire spreading into developed areas.

Alex Young may be reached at ayoung@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AlexYoungSJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

An 18-year-old Lakewood woman told police that a man assaulted her while she was walking down a section of railroad tracks between Lawrence Avenue and East County Line, police said.

Police were called to a residence on Park Avenue for a report of an assault. (File photo). 

LAKEWOOD -- Police are searching for a man they say grabbed an 18-year-old township woman from behind Monday while she was walking alongside a stretch of railroad tracks.

At around 5:45 p.m., police were called to a residence on Park Avenue for a report of an assault.

An 18-year-old Lakewood woman at the residence told police that a man assaulted her while she was walking down a section of railroad tracks between Lawrence Avenue and East County Line Road, police said.

The woman said a man approached her and asked her for the time, according to police. A few moments later, after she gave the man the time, he came back and grabbed her from behind, the victim told police.

The victim stated that she started screaming and then kicked the man, causing him to flee the area, police said.

Police described the suspect as a Hispanic male in his late 20s, approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall, with short hair. Police said the man was wearing a black T-shirt and had a black backpack with him. 

Police asked anyone with information to contact Officer Nathan Reyes at 732-363-0200 ext. 5345.

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

No homes or structures were ever threatened by the wildfire

WOODLAND TWP. --The wildfire that engulfed more than 1,000 acres in Burlington and Ocean counties has been contained, state officials said Tuesday evening. 

"Our crews will continue to work on any hot spots," said Larry Hajna, a spokesman for New Jersey's Department of Environment Protection.

No homes or structures were ever threatened by the wildfire, according to Hajna who said the blaze was still "smoldering" Tuesday, but expects the rain forecasted for later this week to put out the remained of the fire. 

"We will make sure the containment lines hold," he said. 

The forest fire in the New Jersey Pine Barrens was first spotted Monday afternoon from a fire tower in an area known as Woodmansie in Woodland Township, according to Hajna. 

Fifty-five firefighters with the state's Forest Fire Service battled the blaze as it moved east into Ocean County along with local fire department providing assistance, Hajna said.

Several bulldozers were used to plow fire lines and planes were called in for aerial water drops.

The location of the fire "made [it] a bit difficult to put out because it was very dry," Hajna said. "There was also a little wind."

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Larry Hajna, DEP spokesman, said the fire started on a private property.

WOODLAND TWP. -- The forest fire that consumed more than 1,000 acres in the Pine Barrens and carried the smell of smoke all the way to New York City was likely caused by the improper disposal of charcoal briquettes, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Larry Hajna, spokesman for the DEP, said the fire was contained at about 1,012 acres Tuesday afternoon.

The blaze was first spotted Monday afternoon from a fire tower in the Woodmansie area of Woodland Township. Hajna said the fire started on private property and quickly spread to the state-owned Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management area.

Officials said 55 firefighters with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service battled the blaze along with local fire departments Tuesday as it spread into Ocean County.

Hajna said the fire is still smoldering, but anything still burning should be put out by rains expected over the next couple of days.

The fire remains under investigation, and Hajna said the Forest Fire Service could seek restitution for the cost of fighting the fire if they end up finding who started it.

Alex Young may be reached at ayoung@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @AlexYoungSJT. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.

 

 

Authorities are searching for the man seen in this surveillance photograph. (Ocean County Prosecutor's Office). 

SEASIDE HEIGHTS -- Authorities are searching for a man they say may have stolen scratch-off tickets last month from a stand on the boardwalk.

On Aug. 27, a man walked into the Shore Amusements stand shortly before 4 a.m. and stole multiple packs of scratch off lottery tickets, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato said in a news release.

A few hours later, at 7:20 a.m., the man then tried to cash in the lottery tickets at the Wawa on Route 37 East in Toms River, Coronato said.

Police area asking anyone with information on the alleged burglary or who can identify the man to contact Seaside Heights police Detective Michael McCurdy at 732-793-1800 ext. 223. Authorities said any information supplied could be kept confidential. 

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

 

BRICK TOWNSHIP -- The owner of oceanfront bungalow community in Brick Township destroyed by Hurricane Sandy has slightly scaled back his proposal to rebuild, but opponents say the reduction doesn't go far enough.

A proposal to rebuild a section of Camp Osborn now calls for the construction of 13 homes instead of 14 on the 1.4-acre lot, said John Jackson, attorney for property owner Robert Osborn.

Jackson said he felt the Brick Township's board of adjustment might be more amenable to this newest plan, announced Aug. 19, than to the original plans first outlined to the board in March.

"We think that we made a better plan and a better product," Jackson said.

But homeowners who live directly south of the site still think the proposal is too dense for the area. They insist the site can support only three or four homes and that the reduction of one planned home has no impact on the density.

"One. Big deal," said Edward Liston, attorney for six adjacent homeowners challenging the development plans. "Now it's just slightly twice under the density that's allowed instead of twice over the density."

Camp Osborn started in the 1920s as a village of tents for fishermen. Gradually, the land became host to shacks that gave way to modest bungalows with only a couple of feet between them. Some of the bungalows have been in families for generations.

The site is divided into two types of developments - one in which Osborn leases the land to the homeowners and a second - Osborn Sea Bay - where residents own a fraction of the land in an arrangement similar to condominium ownership.

This dispute focuses only on Osborn's tract, on which 32 bungalows stood before Hurricane Sandy and a subsequent fire flattened it. Developers of Osborn Sea Bay - where 66 cottages used to stand before Sandy - are waiting for the resolution of this case to move forward with their plans.

Camp Osborn's bungalows technically are not a conforming use for the area but were allowed to remain because they were built before Brick Township adopted its zoning regulations.

Jackson, who is seeking a zoning variance for Osborn, said the proposal is much better than what existed. The proposed homes are 10 feet apart compared to the couple of feet between each bungalow before Sandy.

He contends the neighbors don't want the project because they don't want their ocean views blocked.

The three-bedroom homes would be elevated and would have three parking spaces each.  Set on 28-foot-wide lots, the houses would be about 1,800 square feet.

Liston said Osborn's plan varies so much from the permitted zoning that the proposed project amounts to a redevelopment of the area and therefore should not be given a variance. The next hearing on the issue is scheduled for Sept. 30.

"What he's proposing is zoning by variance," Liston said. "It's an obscene overdevelopment of beachfront property."

Brandy Tice, 38, of Beachwood. (Ocean County jail).

STAFFORD -- A 38-year-old Beachwood woman was arrested Saturday after she drove drunk with her 11-year-old son in the car, police said Thursday.

Brandy Tice was charged with DWI, endangering the welfare of a child and reckless driving after she was pulled over by police on Nautilus Drive near Compass Road, according to Stafford police.

Police said they responded to the area of Nautilus and Neptune drives after receiving a report of an intoxicated female driver traveling with her 11-year-old son in the car. The vehicle was described as an older model, gray Hyundai.

After police pulled over the Hyundai, they arrested Tice and transported her to police headquarters, police said. Her son was also brought to headquarters where he was turned over to his uncle.

Tice was later taken to the Ocean County jail in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Patrolman Joseph Luna was the arresting officer, with assistance by Sgt. James Haldenwang and officers Russell Dunfee and Giovanni DeMarco.

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

The father of the man accused of sending sexually explicit photos online to Chelsea O'Donnell was arrested and charged in connection with a steroid smuggling operation, police said. (File photo).

BARNEGAT -- The father of a township man accused of having inappropriate online communications with Rosie O'Donnell's daughter was arrested and charged in connection with an anabolic steroid distribution operation, police said.

Steven Sheerer, 51, was charged with hindering apprehension and conspiracy to commit possession of a controlled dangerous substance following a seven-month undercover operation, Stafford police Officer Christopher Fritz said in a news release.

Fritz confirmed to NJ Advance Media that Sheerer is the father of Steven M. Sheerer, 25, who was charged with sending sexually explicit communications to Chelsie O'Donnell. O'Donnell, who is now 18, was 17 when Sheerer was arrested last month.

On Aug. 18, Chelsie O'Donnell was found at the Sheerer's Village Drive home in Barnegat Township after her comedian-mother tweeted about her missing daughter.

Police said Sheerer's father, a worker at the United States Postal Service facility in Manahawkin, became aware of a drug-trafficking operation run by Dennis Ayala, and then helped facilitate it. 

A police investigation found that Ayala was ordering anabolic steroids on the Internet and having them shipped via the USPS to his businesses in Manahawkin, Shore Discount Furniture and Bedding and Shore Gold and Pawn, Fritz said.

Sheerer, through working at the USPS facility, learned that Ayala's address had been flagged for suspicion of illegal activity and then told Ayala about it, according to Fritz.

Ayala was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, pawnbroker selling firearms and possession of CDS (anabolic steroids), Fritz said.

The investigation is ongoing, and Fritz asked that anyone with information please contact Det. Stephen Fessler at 609-597-1189 ext. 8447. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Victim was driven to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said

LAKEWOOD -- Local and Ocean County law enforcement are investigating a shooting at an apartment complex Thursday afternoon, police said.

File photo 

Police were called to Monmouth Medical Center around 4:30 p.m. after the male victim, whose name was not immediately available, was dropped off there in a private vehicle. The victim, who suffered a leg wound, was shot near Clove Street and Cedar Bridge Avenue, police also said.

The victim's injuries were non-life-threatening, police also said. 

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PaulMilo2. FindNJ.com on Facebook