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Boys soccer: The NJ.com preseason Top 20

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Who is the top team heading into 2016?


N.J. utility company agrees to reduce double-digit rate hike

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New Jersey Natural Gas was seeking a 24-percent rate increase.

WALL -- A public utility serving half a million people in the state has agreed to drop its rate hike to 7.4 percent -- down from the 24-percent increase it proposed in November 2015.

New Jersey Natural Gas' original proposed rate hike would have led to a $21.69 increase in an average customer's monthly bill.

Under an agreement reached with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and other groups, including AARP New Jersey, an average customer's monthly bill will go up $7.11.

NJNG serves 512,000 customers in Monmouth and Ocean counties, portions of Burlington, Middlesex, and Morris counties, and one borough in Sussex County. If the agreement is approved, the rate hike will start on or around Oct. 1, the company said in a news release.

"We believe a fair agreement has been reached and look forward to the final resolution of this base rate case," Laurence M. Downes, chairman and CEO of NJNG said in a statement. "We are confident the ultimate outcome will serve the best interests of our customers and company."

The original rate hike was met with much resistance from residents, advocacy groups and local officials alike, especially after NJ Advance Media reported that the CEO's of NJNG's parent company, NJ Resources, had seen their overall compensation skyrocket in recent years.

"What makes the 24-percent increase really outrageous and unacceptable," Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty said at a news conference in April, "is when you juxtapose it to the excessive increases in compensation for the executives at New Jersey Natural Gas. We're talking about Wall Street-type salaries to manage the smallest gas utility in the state of New Jersey."

A spokesman for NJNG, Michael Kinney, said at the time that the rate hike was necessary because the company needed to mend its ailing infrastructure, which was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

Meanwhile, the company was also met with fierce opposition as it tried to move forward with its plan to construct a 28-mile, 30-inch pipeline, the Southern Reliability Link.

The settlement does not include costs related to the SRL, which has not yet started construction. However, NJNG said it could request additional rate treatments for the pipeline in the future. The SRL was approved by the BPU and is currently seeking permits, the company said.

The November 2015 rate request was the first for NJNG since 2007. From 2008 to 2015, NJNG has invested more than $800 million in its natural gas transmission and distribution system.

NJNG will continue to replace its approximately 276 miles of unprotected steel main needed for distribution, the company said.

"Meeting our customers' expectations for safety, reliability and value is the most important thing we do," Downes said. "If approved by the Board of Public Utilities, this rate adjustment will enable us to continue to adequately invest in our system, operate our business and provide our customers with the service they expect and deserve."

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

Girls cross-country 2016 preseason runner rankings

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Take a look at where the top runners in N.J. are ranked

Now you can text emergencies to 911 from anywhere in N.J.

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Emergency call centers in all 21 counties are equipped with software to receive text messages to 911.

PISCATAWAY -- New Jersey is joining a growing number of states that allow people in emergency situations to send a text message to 911, officials announced on Wednesday.

The new technology is one way law enforcement officials are trying to keep pace with a growing number of emergency calls placed by cell phones. Seventy percent of 911 calls are placed from a cell phone, said Attorney General Christopher Porrino, citing data from the Federal Communications Commission.

But there are moments when people can't talk on the phone for various reasons, but can send a text message, Porinno said. For instance, if a person is deaf or hard of hearing, it could be more efficient for them to communicate via text message.

"This is an important advancement for the 911 system, for law enforcement, for anyone who lives, works and travels here in New Jersey," Porinno said.

More than 650 emergency call centers in nearly 40 states have the capability to field text messages, the FCC reports. Approximately 200 of those call centers made the text-to-911 upgrades in 2016.

Camden County was the first in New Jersey to unveil its text-to-911 system in March. By July, call centers in each of the state's 21 counties were equipped with software to field text messages, said Dave Weinstein, chief technology officer and head of the state's Office of Information Technology.

"There is perhaps no greater reason than public safety for government to keep pace with today's technology trends," Weinstein said.

He said the cost for the text-to-911 project is "virtually nothing" of the total operating expenses for the OIT, which is under $1 million. "We're talking about negligible expenses for the software," Weinstein said.

While the text-to-911 program advances the current 911 system's technology, it's still not equipped with the most up-to-date 911 software, known as Next Generation 911. Among other 911 enhancements, NextGen offers dispatchers the capability to not only receive text messages but photos and videos as well.

Weinstein said the state is hoping to start taking bids for NextGen either this year or next year.

How to text 911

* Open the message app on your phone or wireless device

* In the "To" field, type "911" with no punctuation

* In the message field, type the location (address and municipality) and a brief description of the problem (example: "1234 E Main Street Franklin Twp I hear someone breaking in).

When should you text 911

* If you have a speech or hearing impairment.

* If speaking may cause you harm, like in a break-in or domestic violence situation.

* Be sure to silence your phone so that the sound of a 911 reply does not give your location away.

Source: New Jersey Office of Information Technology

Chris Rodriguez, director of New Jersey's Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, said text-to-911 could be especially beneficial in active-shooter situations where people are unable to speak on the phone. He cited the night club shooting in Orlando as an example.

"The text-to-911 capability will allow, in the event that the unthinkable happens in our backyard, the public to be able to, in a safe way, text to 911 and provide vital information to first responders arriving on the scene," Rodriguez said.

He said about 70 percent of active-shooter situations end in less than five minutes before first responders can get to the scene.

These cases, however, are rare and extraordinary. Emergency officials stress that a voice call is a preferred method of calling 911. A call to 911 allows the dispatcher to collect vital information faster than texting, which is crucial in emergency situations, Porrino said.

"We recognize there are circumstances in which people are witnessing suspicious activity, people in danger or people desperately in need of medical help simply cannot talk but are able to text," he said. 

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

 

Convicted arsonist charged with setting fire to home, cops say

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John Fischer V was charged with setting fire to a home on Camino Roble Drive in Toms River, authorities said

John Fischer V.png 

TOMS RIVER -- A Toms River man convicted of arson five years ago, set fire to a home in town this week, authorities said Wednesday.

John Fischer V, 26, was charged with aggravated arson Tuesday after police determined he deliberately set fire to a house on Camino Roble Drive early that morning, said Toms River police spokesman Ralph Stocco.

Stocco said the 42-year-old man who lived in the house saw smoke near the front of his house and flames shooting under his front door around 12:30 a.m.

After using a fire extinguisher to douse the flames, the man spotted a red glow coming from the back of the house, where he found the vinyl siding on fire, Stocco said. He extinguished those flames as well, Stocco said.

Toms River police officer Raymond Beyerle, the first on the scene, detected the scent of an accelerant, possibly gasoline, Stocco said. The officer also found an area on the front steps and the siding on the back of the house that were burned, he said.

Toms River arson Detective Thomas DiMichele conducted an investigation, which led him to Fischer, Stocco said. Fischer was being held in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River in lieu of $75,000 bail. 

Court records show Fischer pleaded guilty to arson and burglary in September 2011 for an incident that occurred in August 2010  and was sentenced to four years in prison.

MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

5 arrested in Shore heroin bust

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Investigators were investigating the alleged illegal activities in Lakewood and Jackson for two months, authorities said

drug bust.pngSuspects arrested in a Lakewood and Jackson drug bust are (clockwise from top left) Michael Lewis of Jackson, Sherrod Coleman of Lakewood and Diane Hunt and Sabrina Henderson of Brick. 
 

TOMS RIVER -- Ocean County investigators arrested five people and seized about 6,200 hits of heroin, a submachine gun and other types of drugs from cars and homes in Lakewood and Jackson, authorities said Wednesday.

The arrests on Sept. 1 were the culmination of a two-month investigation into drug activity in the Ocean County area, said Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato.

Detectives from the prosecutor's Special Operations Group set out early in the morning to stop the driver of a 2009 black Maxima at Chestnut Street and Route 9 in Lakewood, Coronato said.

The driver, identified as Michael Lewis, 31, of Jackson, initially attempted to elude the detectives, but he stopped after a short distance, the prosecutor said. In his car, investigators found about 1,800 individual doses of heroin along with some cocaine, he said.

In a search of Lewis' home on Arcadia Court in Jackson, investigators found illegal steroids, prescription pills, and marijuana along with about $20,000 in cash, the prosecutor said.

Before that search, Megan Crudup, 24, who also lives there, was arrested as she was coming out of the house, Coronato said.

While detectives were conducting that search, another set of investigators stopped a 2015 red Honda Civic leaving the area of Davina Court in Lakewood, a second location of suspected drug activity, the prosecutor said.

In a search of the Honda, investigators found about 4,450 doses of heroin and a Mac-10 submachine gun, and a loaded high-capacity magazine for the weapon, Coronato said.

The three occupants of the car, who were arrested, were identified as Sherod Coleman, 32, who lives at that Davina Court home and Diane Hunt, 53, and Sabrina Henderson, 34, both of Brick Township, he said. In a search of the house, police found $24,000 in cash, he said.

On Sept. 2, detectives executed a search warrant on a safety deposit box they say Lewis used to store cash from the drug sales, Coronato said. In the box was $70,000, he said.

Investigators seized, the Maxima, the Civic and a 2014 Chevrolet Impala they say were used in the drug operation.

Lewis was charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of cocaine and eluding a police officer. He was being held in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River in lieu of $125,000 bail with no 10-percent option, Coronato said.

Coleman, Hunt and Henderson were each charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during a drug offense, possession of a high-capacity magazine and unlawful possession of a weapon. Coleman was being held in the Ocean County Jail on a $200,000 cash-only bail and Hunt and Henderson were being held there on $50,000 bail, the prosecutor said.

Crudup was charged with possession of marijuana and later released on a summons, police said.

The county Special Operations Group worked with the Lakewood police Street Crimes Unit, the Lakewood police SWAT team, Jackson police and the Ocean county Sheriff's Department.

MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

This month in N.J. history: September

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Some of the people spotlighted are responsible for inventions that changed our lives.

Here is the third installment of our monthly gallery, "This month in N.J. History," which appears on nj.com near the start of each month.

This gallery supplements our Glimpse of History feature as well as our regular vintage photo galleries, offering a snapshot of significant events in Garden State history.

s-l225.jpg 

We will highlight N.J. politics, music, literature, sports, crime, entertainment and disasters - both natural and man-made. We will share N.J.-timestamped events, from earth-shaking to simply amusing.

For September, there are people who made their mark in education, sports and entertainment. Some we've spotlighted are responsible for inventions that changed our lives.

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

If there are dates you don't see on our timeline but believe should be remembered, let us know in the comments section.

And, be sure to enable captions for the gallery so you can read all the information associated with each day in New Jersey history.

Click here for previous galleries on N.J. history in July and August.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find The Star-Ledger on Facebook.

With Hermine gone, another bullet dodged on duneless shore | Di Ionno

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Army Corps putting out bids for stretch from Mantoloking to Seaside Watch video

By Tuesday morning, the message on overhead traffic warning signs around the Jersey Shore had changed from "SEVERE COASTAL STORM, BE PREPARED" to "SCHOOL IS OPEN, DRIVE CAREFULLY." 

And just like that, we went from the dramatic to the mundane. Again.

So, Tropical Storm Hermine now joins Hurricane Joaquin and a collection of nor'easters and blizzards that swerved or fizzled. New Jersey, the state of near-miss emergencies. Not that anyone should be complaining. Still, they are. But that's another story.

This story is about the number of bullets dodged since Hurricane Sandy battered our coast, brought the forests down on our power lines and sent the ocean, bays and rivers surging into neighborhoods with unprecedented force.

The four-year anniversary is Oct. 29.

Four years and still no dunes on the northern barrier island from Point Pleasant to Seaside Heights, where Sandy left its most visible, wide-scale destruction, other than Union Beach on the Raritan Bay.

Four years. Let's put that in perspective, using other New Jersey landmark public works projects. The Lincoln Tunnel was built in three years. Most of the Pulaski Skyway was done in two. The Turnpike was cobbled together in four.

And still, there are no mounds of sand covered by dune grasses and shrubs along a vulnerable 12-mile stretch of the Jersey Shore.

"We're playing Russian roulette," said Paul Jeffrey, president of the Ortley Beach Taxpayer and Voter Association, the leading citizens group in the fight to get the dunes built.

To follow the metaphor, five storms - Hermine, Joaquin, the nor'easters and blizzards - have come and gone without the predicted cataclysmic damage. Click. Click. Click. Click. Click. We're out of empty chambers.

Midday Tuesday, as Hermine's churned off the coast, behaving more like a nor'easter than a tropical storm, concerned residents of the Ortley Beach section of Toms River were taking a look at the damage that the angry, roiling surf had done to their sandy, makeshift dunes.

They had good reason to be concerned. Hurricane Sandy damaged all but 60 of Ortley's 2,600 homes and about 660 homes had to be demolished.

As Hermine approached over the weekend, the Toms River public works department was, once again, bulldozing sand into fortress heights and hoping for the best.

"This time, we made a third dune," said Toms River Mayor Thomas Kelaher.

The 9-foot dune piled against Ortley's new boardwalk is made of coarse fill sand brought in since Sandy. The dune closest to the ocean was made of beach sand. On Saturday, crews sculpted a middle dune out of 30 yards of beach sand between the two.

By Tuesday, as the Hermine-driven surf pounded the shore for a fourth high tide, now pushed by northeasterly winds, the first dune was gone and the middle dune was reduced to not much more than sand-castle size.

Thirty yards of beach was taken.

The waves broke dangerously close to a beachfront house that was repaired after Sandy and less than a half-mile from where the Jet-Star rollercoaster ended up in the ocean, the signature image of the hurricane's destructive muscle.

The Seaside Heights pier that once held the Jet-Star has been rebuilt on massive hurricane-proof pilings, but the ocean on Tuesday was swirling around them, having eaten up yards of beach on its way.

Four years. No dunes.

"I'm frustrated by the people who wouldn't sign the easements," Kelaher said. "And the Army Corps said they wouldn't go on property where there wasn't an easement signed."

Last summer, the Army Corps agreed to fortify the northern barrier island from south of Bay Head to north of Berkeley, provided all easements were signed or that eminent domain was used against those who wouldn't sign.

"My understanding is that there were five holdouts and eminent domain is now being used," Kelaher said. "I've been told the Army Corps is ready and putting out bids to build the dunes this fall."

While dune building and beach replenishment has been underway in Monmouth County and on Long Beach Island, in southern Ocean County, for more than a year, the northern barrier island had some unique circumstances that led to the holdup.

First are a number of tiny beach bungalow associations, each with its own bylaws. In some, for instance, every stakeholder, meaning hundreds of people, must sign an easement. Others, such as Midway Beach, have their own dune systems that successfully kept Sandy at bay and do not want to relinquish any land to the government. The same is true in Bay Head, where oceanfront residents built their own rock wall and do not want government footprints on their sand.

The state needed 4,279 easements signed to start the dune and beach replenish project along the 127-mile Atlantic coastline. It began the process two months after Sandy. By last summer, there were only 388 holdouts - but 326 were on this island, including more than 200 in Bay Head and Point Pleasant Beach.

Last summer, the Army Corps agreed to move forward with the dunes on the middle part of the island.

Last week, the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Army Corps announced bids will be put out for the island's dune and beach replenishment this fall.

"I'm praying it does," said Jeffrey. "They told us they would, but the proof is in the pudding."

"I don't want to be skeptical, but I'll believe it when I see it," Kelaher said. "And I told people, when I see those dredges out there pumping sand, I'm going to buy a case of champagne and we'll celebrate on the beach."

Mark Di Ionno may be reached at mdiionno@starledger.com. Follow The Star-Ledger on Twitter @StarLedger and find us on Facebook.


The NJ.com Top 20 football picks and schedule, Week 1

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A breakdown of every Top 20 game.

NJ.COM TOP 20 PICKS

WEEK 1

St. John’s (D.C.) (2-0) at No. 1 St. Joseph (Mont.) (1-0)
Saturday, 2 p.m.
A win will vault the Green Knights into the national Top 25, but New Jersey’s newly appointed top-ranked team will have its hands full. St. John’s boasts a bevy of Division 1-bound players including Texas A&M-bound DE Tyree Johnson, two players headed to Maryland and five-star OT Calvin Ashley, an Auburn commit. St. Joe’s needs its pass rush to be aggressive and its offense to play mistake free in a game that could come down to the last play. St. Joseph 21, St. John’s 20

Tampa Catholic (Fla.) (0-0) at No. 4 Bergen Catholic (1-0)
Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
BC’s season-opening win against Archbishop Wood was a great learning experience for a team that only returned six starters. While they’re young, they’re talented, and Bergen Catholic should have no problem moving to 2-0 against a team ranked 36th in Florida. Bergen Catholic 34, Tampa Catholic 10

No. 5 Middletown South (0-0) at Red Bank Catholic (0-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
The assembly line continues at Middletown South where the Eagles will have new faces in key starting spots, but that same old dominating look. Kevin Higgins leads a solid defensive unit. RBC plays its first game under Frank Edgerly, who returns to his alma mater after a stint in the NFL. RBC is young but massive up front. Middletown South 21, Red Bank Catholic 7

No. 14 DePaul (1-0) at No. 6 Paramus Catholic (1-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
This here is a showdown for two North Jersey elites. Paramus Catholic cruised to a big win over St. Frances last week, while DePaul did not play. The Spartans kick off the season Friday night, but will do so at a tough venue. PC's offense looked sharp with QB Andrew Brito leading the way and it'll be tough for DePaul to contain the Paladins. Paramus Catholic 28, DePaul 17
 
Southern (0-1) at No. 7 Toms River North (0-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
Toms River North has been a slow starter in recently seasons, but North’s speed and versatility on offense should be at warp speed early in this one. QB Mike Husni is a four-year starter, he has a 240-pound tailback and two big-time wide receivers. Toms River North 28, Southern 7

Atlantic City (0-1) at No. 8 St. Augustine (1-0)
Friday, 6 p.m.
The Hermits opened the season with a nice win over one of Southeastern Pa’s top teams in Malvern Prep. Kyle Dobbins and True Robinson combined for nearly 400 rushing yards against the Friars. St. Augustine should have too much firepower for the Vikings. St. Augustine 42, Atlantic City 13

No. 9 Phillipsburg (0-0) at Franklin (0-0)
Friday at 7 pm.
The Frank Duffy era begins for the Stateliners, with the first-year head coach taking the sidelines on the road. With running back JaQuan Jones and quarterback Danny Fisher back from last season, Phillipsburg is in position to start of the season right. Phillipsburg 35, Franklin 14

No. 16 Ramapo (0-0) at No. 10 Wayne Hills (1-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
The 49th showdown between these two public school rivals should be a great one. Last year, Ramapo had one of the best offenses in the state with playmakers at every position. That sounds an awful lot like this year’s Wayne Hills team that has three Division 1-bound players at WR and a 1,200-yard back in Luca Gravé. The NJ.com/Star-Ledger Game of the Week will live up to the billing but give the edge to the home team. Wayne Hills 30, Ramapo 21

Raritan (0-0) at No. 11 Rumson-Fair Haven (0-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
This game features the reigning Central Jersey Group 2 champ and the CJ 3 champion. Jerry Schulte makes his return to the head coaching ranks after being elevated from defensive coordinator. There will be few changes for the Purple Bulldogs, who will put the ball in the hands of three-year starting QB Mike O’Connor and let him make plays. Raritan made a memorable march to the sectional title last season, but Rumson-Fair Haven has a little too much in the season opener. Rumson-Fair Haven 28, Raritan 13

No. 12 Timber Creek (0-0) at Delsea (0-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
A matchup between the defending South Jersey Group 3 and Group 4 champions highlights the opening night slate in New Jersey. Quarterback Devin Leary leads the Chargers’ potent passing attack, while the Crusaders will lean on fullback Rashaad Williams and a bruising running game. Last year, the Crusaders won, 35-31. Can this rematch live up to last year’s epic? Timber Creek 27, Delsea 24

Old Bridge (0-0) at No. 13 South Brunswick (0-0)
Friday at 7 p.m.
Two of the top teams in the Greater Middlesex Conference face off in a rematch of last season's Central Jersey, Group 5 final that South Brunswick won. Quarterback Josh Liao and wide receiver Justin Shorter give the Vikings a potent offensive attack, while Old Bridge quarterback Artur Sitkowski is explosive in his own right. South Brunswick 35, Old Bridge 21
 
No. 15 Cedar Creek (0-0) at Absegami (0-0)
Friday, 6 p.m.
The Pirates arrived as a program last year, knocking off Haddonfield and West Deptford on the way to its first sectional championship. Can they back it up? With state Player of the Year candidate Bo Melton, fourth-year starting quarterback Jesse Milza, Rutgers-bound lineman Owen Bowles and more we think so. Cedar Creek 38, Absegami 7
 
Shawnee (0-0) at No. 17 Cherokee (0-0)
Friday, 7 p.m.
It’s a battle between a pair of the top programs in South Jersey. Last year, QB Mike Welsh and the Renegades dominated the Chiefs. Welsh is gone and Shawnee could be rebuilding a bit, while the Chiefs seem primed for a run at the South Jersey Group 5 title behind Rutgers-bound running back John Lovett. Cherokee 24, Shawnee 14

Somerville (0-0) at No. 18 Cranford (0-0)
Friday at 7 p.m.
The Cougars begin their North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 title defense against a team it beat convincingly last season. The big question for Cranford this season is how they'll replace quarterback Jack Schetelich. But even without him, the Cougars have the edge in this one. Cranford 28, Somerville

Blair at No. 20 Pope John
Saturday, 3 p.m.
The Lions and its tenacious defense are ready to hit the turf. Pope John's strong D features national recruit Dalyn Wade-Perry. With the defense strong and the offense ready to roll, they'll be tough to bring down. Pope John 35, Blair 21

Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Schneider. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

N.J. woman, 36, killed when car rear-ends tractor-trailer

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The Holmdel man driving the car suffered head injuries

An Ocean County woman died when a car crashed into a tractor-trailer on an upstate New York highway Tuesday, authorities said.

Screen Shot 2016-09-08 at 11.36.45 AM.pngA 36-year-old New Jersey woman died in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday in upstate New York. 

Carrie Ann Ganley was a passenger in a 2015 BMW when it rear-ended a 2006 Western Star tractor-trailer on Route 17 west in Mamakating, New York State Police said.

Ganley, 36, of the Bayville section of Berkeley, was pronounced dead at the scene following the 7:30 a.m. crash.

The driver of the  BMW, Alekos Patentas of Holmdel, was flown to Westchester Medical Center with head injuries. The driver of the tractor-trailer, an Amsterdam, N.Y. man was brought to a local hospital with minor injuries.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Beach closed indefinitely because of severe erosion from Hermine

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This section of the beach was already compromised by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and subsequent storms

BRICK TOWNSHIP -- A section of Brick Township's beaches have been closed indefinitely after Tropical Storm Hermine caused severe erosion to an area originally damaged during Hurricane Sandy.

Township police said the access points to the ocean beaches south of Brick Beach 3 will remain closed because of "unsafe conditions" along the steel wall installed there two years ago.

That section of Brick Township along the northern Ocean County peninsula was reduced to a narrow ribbon of sand after Sandy in 2012. The state agreed to install a steel wall to attempt to prevent erosion damage to the homes and Route 35 behind it.

Severe storms, including nor'easters in October and January, have continued to erode the beach, exposing the steel wall that had been covered by sand. After each storm, crews pushed sand onto the beach and loads of sand were trucked in to build the beach and dunes.

The public has access to the beaches at Brick Beach I, Brick Beach 3 and at 6th Avenue, police said. However, they warn beach-goers to be on the alert when heavy equipment is on the beach and during high tide when waves reach the steel wall.

MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

3 LBI bay beaches under water quality advisories

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All three beaches were on Long Beach Island.

OCEAN - Three beaches on the bay side of Long Beach Island are under advisories for elevated bacteria levels as of Thursday afternoon, according to the state's water quality monitoring site.

Officials said water samples from the beaches "exceeded water quality standards."

The advisory list includes:

* 25th Street, bayside, Barnegat Light
* 14th Street, bayside, Ship Bottom
* 16th Street, bayside, Surf City

The beaches are not closed. Closures occur when two consecutive days of sampling show the water quality exceeds the state standard of Enterococci bacteria in a sample.

Advisories are issued after the first day of an elevated reading.

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

Plumsted unveils 'Project Medicine Drop' box at police headquarters

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Residents can utilize the drop box at any time.

PLUMSTED -- Residents in the township can now dispose of unused prescription medications at a drop box as part of a statewide initiative to combat opioid abuse, officials announced Thursday.

The Plumsted police's medicine drop box is located at the department's headquarters, at 2 Cedar Street. Residents can dispose of unused or extra medications at any time.  

"'Project Medicine Drop' is a natural addition to our commitment to help improve the public safety and quality of life in Plumsted Township," Plumsted police Chief Matthew Petrecca said in a statement. "It will encourage our residents to be fully aware of the potential for abuse presented by otherwise beneficial medications."

The "Project Medicine Drop" is part of the New Jersey Attorney General's Office's efforts to fight prescription drug abuse.

Funding for the Plumsted box came from the RWJBarnabas Health's Institute for Prevention and the DART Prevention Coalition of Ocean County.

Connie Greene, vice president for the RWJBarnabas Health's Institute for Prevention, said this drop box is important because Ocean County is at the "heart of the opioid epidemic in New Jersey."

"We are so pleased to be able to partner with the Township of Plumsted and the Plumsted Police Department to bring this resource to the township residents," Green said.

If an officer is not available for assistance at police headquarters, residents are urged to call 609-758-7185 for help. 

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

2 airlifted from head-on crash in Ocean County

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A 5-year-old child suffered 'moderate' injuries after not being restrained in a child seat, police say

crash3.pngThree people, including a 5-year-old child, were injured in a head-on crash on Route 9 in Stafford on Wednesday night, authorities said 

STAFFORD -- Three people including 5-year-old child were injured Wednesday night in a head-on crash in Stafford Township, police said.

Page Spano, 20, of Tuckerton, was seriously injured in the crash and airlifted to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City, police said.

Spano was traveling south on Route 9 in a 1995 Geo Metro at 7:36 p.m. when another car crossed into her lane and struck her head-on near Mayetta Landing Road, Stafford Township police said in a news release.

Eileen King, 51, of Stafford, was driving the other car, a 2013 Chrysler 300, and had a 5-year-old passenger who was not restrained in a child safety seat, police said. The child sustained "moderate" injuries and was airlifted to Jersey Shore Regional Medical Center in Neptune, police said.

King was treated at Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin for minor injuries, police said. 

Investigators are trying to determine why King crossed the center line. She was charged with reckless driving, failure to maintain a lane and failure to secure a child in a child restraint, authorities said.

Traffic was detoured around that section of Route 9 for about four hours, police said.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Stafford Police Traffic Safety Officer Justin Pascale at 609-597-1189, ext. 8436 or the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office at 732-929-2027.

MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

76-year-old man struck, killed while crossing N.J. highway

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Dayal Chakrabarty was attempting to cross Route 9 in Ocean County a 2013 Hyundai Sonata struck him, authorities said.

WARETOWN -- A 76-year-old township man was killed while attempting to cross Route 9 Wednesday night, authorities said.

Dayal Chakrabarty was crossing Route 9 shortly after 8 p.m. in the area of Clearwater Drive when a 2013 Hyundai Sonata hit him, Ocean County Prosecutor's Office spokesman Al Della Fave said in a news release.

The Sonata, driven by a 36-year-old Barnegat man, was traveling southbound on Route 9 when he hit Chakrabarty, Della Fave said. Authorities did not identify the driver. 

Chakrabarty was taken to Southern Ocean Medical Center in Manahawkin where he was pronounced dead at 9:16 p.m.

An investigation by the Ocean Township Police Department and Ocean County Prosecutor's Office's Accident Investigation Unit found the driver was not at fault in the crash.

Chakrabarty was wearing dark clothing and crossed a portion of Route 9 with little-to-no lighting and no designated crosswalk, Della Fave said. He said the driver was not impaired and was not using his cell phone at the time of the crash.

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

 

N.J. man accused of running heroin trafficking ring from prison is indicted

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Robert 'True' Britt is already serving a state prison term for dealing drugs and now faces federal charges Watch video

TRENTON -- An Asbury Park man accused of running a heroin distribution ring in Monmouth and Ocean counties while serving time in prison was indicted Thursday on federal drug charges.

robert-britt.pngRobert Britt, 44, of Asbury Park. (NJ Department of Corrections) 

Robert "True" Britt, 44, faces a count of conspiracy to distribute heroin, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said.

Britt is currently serving a seven-year state prison term for drug distribution and has been in custody since March 2013.

Britt was identified in March 2014 as the kingpin of the distribution network when federal authorities arrested 21 people, authorities said.

As he prepared to serve his state prison term in 2013, Britt transferred day-to-day operations of the heroin ring to Rufus Young, 43, of Asbury Park, authorities said. Young has pleaded guilty and was sentenced in December to serve 15 years in prison.

Britt continued to coordinate with Young and run the heroin network from prison using smuggled cell phones, authorities said.

"During those conversations, Britt instructed Young on how to operate their drug business, including methods for developing new heroin customers, avoiding detection by law enforcement, and identifying new suppliers," authorities said.

The 19 others arrested in the drug bust have already been convicted, authorities said.

Thomas Shannon, 37, of Jersey City, was identified as the primary supplier to Britt and Young, authorities said. Shannon was convicted by a jury in May for his role and faces up to life in prison. 

Britt had previously been sentenced in 2007 to 12 years in state prison for drug distribution. He was released after serving 3 1/2 years, according to state records.

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

 

N.J. Supreme Court allows housing advocates to argue for more affordable units

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The state Supreme Court said it will hear an appeal of an Ocean County case

TRENTON -- Housing advocates in New Jersey get a second chance to convince a court that the state should keep in place its requirements that got thrown out earlier this summer for towns to provide for affordable housing for low-to-moderate income residents.

The Appellate Division in July had shut down housing advocates' attempts to keep in place the formula for determining how many lower-to-moderate income units a town must build, but the state Supreme Court said towns shouldn't yet throw out that formula until more arguments are heard.

In an order signed on Wednesday but released on Thursday, the state's highest court said it would allow the Fair Share Housing Center to appeal the July appellate decision and set the case on an expedited case by directing that oral arguments be scheduled for the last week of November.

"We were disappointed in the Appellate Division's decision in July because we thought it misinterpreted the law and the Supreme Court's order today stops that order from being effective," said Kevin Walsh, executive director of the Fair Share Housing Center. "It gives us a chance to argue at the Supreme Court as to why it should be reversed."

N.J. affordable housing council fails to adopt Christie's new rules 

The legal action is the latest round of decades of litigation among towns, developers, housing advocates and state officials. This case grew out of a decision earlier this year by a Superior Court judge in Ocean County who ruled towns are responsible for meeting their previous and future affordable housing obligations as well as their obligations between 1999 and 2015, a span known as the "gap period" when the Council on Affordable Housing couldn't agree on a third round of requirements.

The Supreme Court last year appointed a panel of Superior Court judges to decide on a case-by-case basis how many units would have to be made available to low and moderate income residents.

In July, an appellate panel said towns did not have to meet their obligations in the gap period. Fair Share Housing asked the Supreme Court to take up the case, which it agreed to do.

Fair Share Housing has estimated the state needs about 200,000 affordable units to be built in the coming decade, but that figure could be cut in half if towns don't have to meet their obligations from the gap period as the appellate division had said in July.

The New Jersey State League of Municipalities, which is helping towns to coordinate the fight against Fair Share Housing, said the Supreme Court's decision wasn't unexpected.

Michael Cerra, assistant executive director for the League, said it will, however, mean a continuation of expensive litigation.

"While we are not surprised that the court will consider the issue, it will unfortunately further delay what has been a drawn-out, costly process for taxpayers," Cerra said. "Ultimately, we fully expect the well-reasoned, unanimous appellate ruling to be upheld.   Perhaps once this decision is upheld, we can bring finality to costly litigation and get around to the business of compliance."

MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Take this week's NJ.com local news quiz

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Will you get a perfect seven this week? Probably not, but it's worth a try.

The dawn of a new school year brings with it the promise of a clean slate. Time to start fresh, right? Your prior failures in NJ.com's weekly local news quiz are the stuff of the past. Start afresh with the seven questions below. I'll even give you the stories that the quiz is based on. You're going to do better than pass this test ... you're going to ace this test. It's the start of a great year ahead for you, I can feel it. Share your score proudly as if the comments section below is your refrigerator door. It's gold-star time.

Quiz questions based on these stories:

John Shabe can be reached via jshabe@njadvancemdia.com. Follow him on Twitter and find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

Where are they now? N.J. alums on 2016 NFL rosters

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Check the status of the 42 ex-N.J. stars playing on Sunday

Football Week 1 mega-coverage guide: Everything you need for this week's games

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Think you missed any of the football previews and coverage this week? NJ.com's mega coverage guide will catch you up in and instant

Here is our mega-coverage guide for Week 1 to help get you ready for the first exciting weekend of gridiron action. Make sure to check back as we'll be adding more stories, previews, polls, live update posts and our predictions for every game this weekend as we get ready for games Friday and Saturday.

WEEK 1 CONFERENCE SCHEDULES/SCOREBOARDS
(Pages automatically update with links as scores come in)
Greater Middlesex Conference
Mid-State 38 Conference
North Jersey Interscholastic Conference
North Jersey Super Football Conference
Shore Conference
West Jersey Football League


RELATED: Who has the best student section? Nominate your school now


WEEK 1 PICKS, RANKINGS, STANDINGS 
Top 20 for Sept. 4
Our Week 1 Top 20 picks
Our Week 1 picks by conference
Our predictions for every Week 1 game
15 Can't miss games in Week 1
What you should know heading into Week 1
NJ.com's regional Game of the Week winners
NJSIAA Power points through Sept. 4

SEASON PREVIEW
NJ.com's first Player of the Year watch
Top 10 players by position
12 key changes to N.J. high school football in 2016
Previews of all 54 conference divisions
FULL NJ.com season preview

OTHER MUST-READS

Delbarton blasts opponents’ ‘recruiting’ in email agreeing to play powerhouse
Disgruntled Delbarton agrees to play super-conference powerhouse 'under duress'
Ramapo vs. Wayne Hills is always 'must see' football
Preview: Lawrence at Hamilton West in Times of Trenton GOW
Gun fire ends football practice early in Paterson
Former Kingsway, Navy RB Sean Samuels to visit RU
Former Rowan players making mark as HS coaches
South Jersey teams ready to compete under WJFL umbrella
Struggles in the classroom have former N.J. star Kareen Walker sidelined at UM
Where was Jabrill Peppers playing vs. Hawaii? MLive examines his role
• Chris Ash on Michigan transfer Ahmir Mitchell: Rutgers did its "homework" on suspension
NJ alums who made an impact on college football opening weekend
Labor Day special: NJSFC players who worked hard to earn their spot

Joe Zedalis may be reached at jzedalis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @josephzedalis. Like NJ.com HS sports on Facebook.

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