Hurricane Sandy

UPDATE: Nearly 247,000 Without Power in Ocean and Monmouth

Outages to increase as Sandy barrels towards the Shore

Update, 6 p.m.: Outages have reached 126,739 in Ocean County and 120,000 in Monmouth County. --- There are nearly 24,000 reported power outages in Monmouth and Ocean counties as of early Monday afternoon, according to a Jersey Central Power & Light map. As of early Monday afternoon, there were 23,559 outages reported in Monmouth and Ocean. However, there was no way to immediately learn if some without power have not reported it yet because they may have no means of communication without electricity. But according to the information available, the highest number of outages in one town in the two counties was Middletown, with 6,869. Another town with a high number of reported outages was Berkeley in southern Ocean County with 1,848. …

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Hurricane Sandy

JCP&L Readies for Sandy

Utility cautions that using generators can be dangerous

JCP&L is getting ready for Hurricane Sandy, with extra staff on standby and a lot of lessons learned. JCP&L clearly has not forgotten the criticism it took after Tropical Storm Irene ravaged New Jersey in August 2011. Utility officials learned from it, made a wide array of improvements in technology, communications and planning and they're ready to put that to the test, said JCP&L spokesman Ron Morano. "We've made improvements to how we provide customer information," Morano said, adding the company is doing all it can to prepare for Sandy and to plan on how to keep officials and residents informed and well-served. For starters, JCP&L is doing what everyone else is doing: closely watching weather forecasts, trying to figure out when and …

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Belmar Is The Jersey Shore's Favorite 'Staycation' Spot, Poll Says

Island Beach State Park and Jenkinson's finished second and third, respectively

A late, improbable rally put Belmar beaches at the top of this week's Readers' Choice poll for favorite Jersey Shore "staycation" spots, with 113 votes. Belmar is known for it's wide, long boardwalk, and its attraction to college-age adults who enjoy the beach and the local night-life. Island Beach State Park, the only natural beach on the Jersey Shore other than Sandy Hook, led for much of the week but finished second with 82 votes. Jenkinson's Boardwalk, which includes an aquarium, rides, food and other seaside pleasures in Point Pleasant Beach, finished third with 77. Thank you for voting in this week's poll. Results are at the bottom of this article. Other choices in the poll included: Fantasy Island Family-fun amusement park in Beach …

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Shoreview

Whitney Houston, And The Perfectly Imperfect Life

I grew up at the Jersey Shore, and I admired her from afar - but I was closer to her than I thought

Growing up, I wanted to be the greatest at whatever I did, the guy who'd rise above the troubles of my family. I wanted to become the Muhammad Ali, even the Whitney Houston, in my corner of the world. I wanted to be the best runner, the best baseball player, the best surfer, even if I couldn't swim until I was 8. I grew up at the Jersey Shore but, for so many years, I was too afraid to swim in water that went over my head. I wanted to be the best writer, even as my college roommate at Rutgers made fun of it, calling it "a bad imitation of Shakespeare." I wanted to be a musician, even if I didn't know my octaves from my falsettos, or my piano keys from my car keys. I wanted to be a star, but not one of power, money and fame. I wanted to …

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Shoreview

Stop: There Is Life Beyond The Tracks

One accident on the North Jersey Coast Line was too much. Now it's up to five since April 1, 2011.

The voices are getting louder now. They're getting louder than the thunderous waves that crash on the beaches of Manasquan, Long Branch, Point Pleasant and Seaside Heights in the middle of a Nor'easter. They're louder than the voices on that MTV show that co-opted the Jersey Shore name. Seven dead in three years. At least three of them were suicides. From 2008 to 2009, four Manasquan High School students - or recent graduates at the time - were hit and killed by NJ Transit trains. Now Wednesday, when a teenager from Spring Lake Heights died after he was hit by a train. He apparently made no attempt to get out of the way, officials said. These tragedies on the Jersey Coast rail tracks were once thought to be isolated and independent. Now …

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Beach, Bay and Backyard

Pelagic Adventures: Birds of the Open Ocean

Some avian species rarely come ashore, so to see them, bird lovers have to head to sea

This week, we're re-running this column about the pelagic species found in our waters because the best time of year to see them is once again approaching. Follow the links below to find out how you can get out to see and catch a glimpse of some of these hard-to-find species. When it comes to winter birding, the Jersey Shore is almost unbeatable. But there are some species that even dedicated birdwatchers will almost never get to see unless they give up landlubber status and take to the sea.  What it is: Pelagic trips take birders beyond the shoreline to get up close and personal with birds of the open ocean. These species, known as pelagics – from the Greek pelagos, meaning sea – often come to land only to nest. Even then, their terra …

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Daniel Nee

1:10 am on Monday, February 14, 2011

I see gannets very often during the spring and fall striped bass migrations, which coincide with the migration of the bunker and mullet, the gannet's food source. It's absolutely amazing seeing them diving full-speed into the water -- and where gannets are feeding on baitfish, so are the striped bass! I've really, really, really wanted to spot an albatross up close for as long as I can remember, …   more ›

Jersey Shore Summer 2011: Your Guide to Beaches

Planning a vacation or just a day trip? Patch has all the information on the Shore's best beaches

Wonder how much it will cost to get on your favorite beach? Stressed about where to park? Debating whether to pack a lunch or head up to the boardwalk? All the answers are right here. Just click each individual beach name for all the essential information on the best Shore spots around the counties.   ASBURY PARK Asbury Park offers something for everyone, from the beautiful beach to live music to great restaurants. Seasonal beach badges cost $70 for adults and $20 for seniors and teens. Weekday passes are $5 with the cost for weekends and holidays going up to $6. Badges go on sale Memorial Day Weekend and can be picked up at the red and white trailer located at the boardwalk on Second Avenue. They can also be ordered by calling 732-502-…

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Howell Resident Frequently Used His Bus As "Den On Wheels"

MTA bus driver has been suspended 15 times

A Howell resident who drives buses for the Metropolitan Transit Authority recently received  his 15th suspension without pay, according to The Staten Island Advance. The MTA bus driver got his 15th suspension by using a Staten Island bus to meet a woman, Deirdre Parker, a spokeswoman for the MTA, told the newspaper. Edward Meehan, 45, could face disciplinary action after admitting that he used his X22 bus to meet a woman, according to an MTA spokeswoman. The Howell resident used the bus as his "den on wheels" in three instances in April that a witness reported to the MTA, and he requested overtime pay for two of the three occasions, the Advance revealed.

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After Another Emotional Meeting, Council Approves Funds for Global Purchase

Smith casts lone dissenting vote on $6.9 million ordinance

The process of a potential purchase of the Global Complex took another step forward on Tuesday night after an emotional meeting at Town Hall.  With a 4-1 vote, the council passed an ordinance allowing $6.9 million to be put toward the possible purchase of the Route 9 buildings as the future home of the municipal government. At Tuesday's meeting residents once again took advantage of their time during the public comment portion to express their feelings on leaving the nearly century old building for the newer structure right off the highway. While some in attendance came out in favor of the purchase, most were opposed. Their reasons ranged from the cost of maintaining the new building, to the lack of a plan for what would happen to the …

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