Hurricane Sandy

OceanFirst Gives to Point Beach, Toms River and Monmouth United Way

Foundation awards six grants to organizations in Sandy-battered communities

OceanFirst Foundation’s Relief and Recovery Grant Program is awarding six new grants totaling $93,000 to organizations in Point Pleasant Beach, Toms River and Monmouth County. The recipients are: Ocean Fire Co. #1, Point Pleasant Beach; Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey, Toms River; Children’s Home Society, Toms River; Homes for All, Toms River; O.C.E.A.N., Inc., Toms River and United Way of Monmouth County, Farmingdale. "The foundation's grant program assists the efforts of nonprofit organizations in the New Jersey shore market area that are helping local families and individuals affected by Hurricane Sandy," says a prepared statement issued by the foundation. The amount awarded to each of the organizations and details about their …

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Hurricane Sandy

Local Officials Describe Sandy's Widespread Devastation, 'Human Misery' to Senate Panel

State Senate looking to improve infrastructure, hear from local mayors, police chiefs on Hurricane Sandy specifics

Local officials described in dramatic detail the work of rescue and rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy, as state senators listened to how the Jersey Shore is grappling with widespread devastation and how to improve for the future. “This is flooding, devastation, I’d never have imagined in my lifetime,” said Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy, one of the first panelists detailing specific anecdotes and financial spending in response to Hurricane Sandy. The panelists were called by the state Senate Budget Committee, held in Toms River Monday. It was the first of several meetings aiming to equip senators with a better understanding as the state figures out how to fund the rebuilding of a collapsed infrastructure and to improve it in …

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Former Toms River Superintendent Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud, Tax Evasion

Plea came in federal court this morning, IRS confirms

Former Toms River Regional Schools Superintendent Michael J. Ritacco pleaded guilty this morning to mail fraud and conspiracy to impede the IRS, officials said. He could face 11 to 14 years in prison, according to sentencing guidelines. In the courtroom of Judge Joel Pisano, where he would have faced trial Monday, Ritacco pleaded to two of the 27 charges he was facing, and admitted his role in years of corruption at the school district, where as much as $2.5 million in bribes were allegedly passed between Ritacco, insurance brokers and intermediaries. Rob Blantz, IRS Crimininal Investigations spokesperson from New Jersey, confirmed that as part of the plea Ritacco will forfeit $1 million dollars, his 2010 Mercedes e550, and $8,960 from his…

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