Barnegat/Waretown Top Stories
By OCEAN COUNTY YMCA
February 17, 2026
TOMS RIVER, NJ – For more than 50 years, the Ocean County YMCA has served the local community, providing vital programs and services to those in need. The Y’s ability to carry out this mission is based largely on one thing – community support. On Tuesday, March 3, the Y calls on the community to ...
HOWELL - The road to an eighth consecutive sectional title remains open for Southern Regional. In a high-stakes Monday night of wrestling, the fourth-seeded Rams first dismantled No. 5 Lenape in the quarterfinals before edging out No. 1 Howell in a 33-26 semifinal thriller that came down to the ...
WARETOWN, NJ – The Ocean Township Police Department is officially calling for recruits—though these applicants might need to finish their homework first. Applications are now open for the annual Junior Police Academy, a community-staple program designed to bridge the gap between local youth and the ...
MANAHAWKIN, N.J. — Lighthouse Christian Academy will host an open house on Thursday, February 26, inviting families to tour the school, meet administrators and learn more about its academic programs and future plans.The open house will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. at the school’s campus, located at ...
WARETOWN, NJ — A long-running anxiety support group in Ocean County continues to offer weekly meetings for individuals seeking help in managing anxiety and related challenges.P.H.O.B.I.A., which stands for People Helping Others Become Independent Again, is a small, informal anxiety support group ...
BARNEGAT, NJ – On Friday, February 13, 2026, the halls of Bayside Chapel were transformed into a scene of glitz, glamour, and pure joy as the church hosted its annual Night to Shine prom. Sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, the event provided an unforgettable experience for local individuals ...
BARNEGAT, NJ – Barnegat Township has officially solidified its reputation as one of the premier places to live in the Garden State. According to the latest 2026 report from SafeWise, Barnegat has been named the #4 safest city in New Jersey, climbing the ranks behind a significant decrease in ...
Manalapan Edges Southern to Claim Dowd Cup TitleIn a gritty battle at the Dowd Cup Final, the Manalapan Braves (12-10) solidified their mid-season resurgence by defeating the Southern Rams (9-12-2) with a 4-3 victory. Despite a late-game surge from Southern, Manalapan’s special teams and a dominant ...
MIDDLETOWN – Despite a late-game surge and a powerhouse performance from Carly Manna, the Barnegat High School girls' basketball team fell just short on the road, dropping a 58-53 decision to Middletown North.The Bengals (7-15) showed incredible resilience in the fourth quarter, outscoring the ...
OCEAN TOWNSHIP, NJ— A runaway juvenile was safely located early Thursday evening (February 12, 2026) in a densely wooded area along Oyster Creek after a technology-assisted search led by the Ocean Township Police Department, authorities said.Patrol officers were dispatched earlier in the evening to ...
STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ – A late-night residential fire has left one person dead and two others fighting for their lives, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Friday.The blaze broke out on Yeoman Road in the early hours of February 13, 2026. At approximately 1:20 a.m., Stafford ...
BARNEGAT — The halls of Barnegat High School echoed with patriotic precision today as the BHS Symphonic Band provided the musical backdrop for the NJROTC Program's Annual Military Inspection (AMI).The AMI is a cornerstone event for the NJROTC, a formal ceremony where cadets are evaluated on their ...
STAFFORD - The script for the Dowd Cup wasn't supposed to read like this. While the top-seeded Manalapan Braves have stormed their way to the final on the back of a dominant winning streak, the No. 6 Southern Rams have played the role of the ultimate bracket-buster, turning a late-season slump into ...
TRENTON, NJ — A New Jersey Senate committee moved forward a 40-cent monthly surcharge on phone bills to fund the state’s suicide and crisis hotline after residents testified Monday about how the hotline plays a critical role during mental health emergencies. Senate Bill 3013 would establish a ...
LAKEWOOD, NJ — The Barnegat High School girls bowling team continued its strong winter season Tuesday, defeating Delran High School in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association South Jersey Group 2 (SJG2) State Team Tournament.The Bengals earned a home victory ...
MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Employers across the region are invited to reserve their spot for the Southern Ocean County Career Fair, a comprehensive hiring event aimed at advancing full- and part-time employment opportunities throughout the coastal community.The job fair will take place March 12 from 1 to ...
NEPTUNE, NJ – In a postseason battle that defined "a tale of two halves," the 10th-seeded Neptune Scarlet Fliers erased a double-digit halftime deficit to defeat the 23rd-seeded Southern Regional Rams, 55-51, in the opening rounds of the Shore Conference Tournament.The victory sends Neptune (15-2) ...
STAFFORD – The stage is set for a magical homecoming as Compassion Cafe prepares to launch its sixth season with a high-energy musical production, Be Our Guest. On Thursday, February 19, 2026, the community is invited to the Stafford Township Arts Center for a night of music, gratitude, and ...
BARNEGAT, NJ – It was a weekend of high-intensity grappling and mixed results for the Barnegat High School wrestling squad. Facing off against Marlboro, Keansburg, and Manchester Township, the Bengals showed flashes of individual dominance and resilience, ultimately walking away with a signature ...
STAFFORD — The atmosphere inside the Southern Regional gymnasium is often defined by the intensity of competition and the roar of the crowd. However, a special ceremony this past Saturday brought a different kind of power to the mats: a profound sense of community, memory, and the lasting legacy of ...
OCEAN TOWNSHIP, NJ – The Ocean Township Police Department is celebrating a significant professional milestone this week as Sergeant Jeremy Samuel officially graduated from the prestigious NJSACOP Command and Leadership Academy.The academy, spearheaded by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs ...
BARNEGAT, NJ — It was a banner week for Barnegat High School athletics as student-athletes delivered standout performances across multiple disciplines, proving once again that the Bengals are a force to be reckoned with in the Shore Conference. The Bengals’ track and field program made a loud ...
BARNEGAT TOWNSHIP, NJ – The Barnegat Township Police Department is celebrating a significant milestone this week as one of its veteran officers, Sergeant Tim Bradshaw, officially graduated from the prestigious New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) Command & Leadership ...
TOMS RIVER, NJ – Sophomore center Brooke Gathman delivered a dominant performance on Friday, scoring a game-high 14 points to lead Toms River East to a 54-34 victory over BarnegaThe Raiders (11-7, 5-3) established control early, outscoring the Bengals 31-13 across the first two quarters. The ...
BARNEGAT LIGHT, NJ — The sound of wheels on pavement is returning to the North End of LBI. Registration is officially open for the 3rd Annual Skateboard Workshop in Barnegat Light, a community-favorite event designed to get local youth active and confident on their boards.Hosted by FCA Surf LBI, ...
PRINCETON, NJ — Enthusiastic lawmakers arrived at Princeton University’s Nassau Hall Thursday afternoon, stepping back into history at the spot where 250 years ago the New Jersey Legislature met for the first time, at the start of the American Revolution.Members of the Assembly and the Senate ...
BARNEGAT, NJ — The Barnegat High School boys basketball team reached a significant milestone on Friday night, battling back to a .500 record with a 51-46 victory over Donovan Catholic. The Bengals (10-10) utilized a balanced scoring attack and a dominant first half to hold off a late surge from the ...
BARNEGAT TOWNSHIP, NJ – A 28-year-old Ocean County man is in custody following a specialized investigation into the digital distribution of child exploitative content.Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Fabian Lugo-Sanchez, of Barnegat, was officially charged on February 5, ...
BARNEGAT — Barnegat Superintendent James Latwis has officially announced the recipients of the 2026 Superintendent’s Awards, recognizing a distinguished group of educators and staff members for their unwavering commitment to student success, staff leadership, and community engagement.The awards ...
Barnegat, NJ – The Barnegat boys basketball team improved their season record to 9-10 on Thursday with a convincing 71-58 win over Shore Conference rival Lacey.The Bengals established control early, outscoring the Lions 21-8 in the opening frame. While Lacey (2-16) fought back with a strong ...