Barnegat/Waretown Top Stories
By PAT SHARKEY
February 5, 2026
BRANT BEACH, NJ — The winter chill on Long Beach Island is about to meet its match. This month, the St. Francis Community Center, in partnership with the Hunger Foundation of Southern Ocean County, will host the inaugural LBI Invitational Chili Cook-Off. Among the "who’s who" of local culinary ...
BARNEGAT - The Barnegat Bengals faced a tough defensive challenge on Tuesday night, falling 58-31 to a surging Jackson Township squad. While the Bengals showed flashes of rhythm in the second half, they were unable to overcome a dominant opening frame by the Jaguars.Jackson Township wasted no time ...
STAFFORD TWP — A journey that began on the youth football fields of Stafford nearly thirteen years ago reached a collegiate milestone this morning. Brayden Scherlin, the standout offensive lineman for Southern Regional High School, officially signed his commitment to play Division II football at ...
WARETOWN — For three decades, a local beacon of hope has been quietly operating out of a small library in Waretown, helping residents navigate the often-paralyzing grip of anxiety.P.H.O.B.I.A., which stands for People Helping Others Become Independent Again, is an informal, peer-run support group ...
JACKSON – George Boley erupted for a game-high 24 points to lead Jackson Memorial to a convincing 54-19 victory over Barnegat on Wednesday. The Jaguars used a stifling defense and a balanced offensive attack to pull away early and improve their season record to 14-4.Jackson Memorial established ...
STAFFORD - Valentine’s Day is about the little things—the thoughtful gesture, the perfect surprise, the joy of choosing something just right for the people you love most. At The Shops at Reynolds, you’ll find everything that makes Valentine’s Day special. From beautifully designed floral ...
LAKEWOOD, NJ — The momentum continues to build for the Barnegat High School girls' bowling program as standout junior Jamie White captured the individual championship at the New Jersey Singles Classic this past Saturday, January 31 at Ocean Lanes. White’s victory at the state-wide showcase serves ...
LONG BEACH ISLAND — In a postseason clash that lived up to the hype, the Southern Regional girls swimming team edged out Washington Township 90-80 on Monday in the opening round of the NJSIAA South, Group A tournament.While the final score shows a 10-point gap, the meet was a "back-and-forth ...
BAYVILLE - In a Shore Conference clash that remained neck-and-neck going into two overtimes, Central Regional (14-5) utilized a balanced scoring attack and a dominant performance on the boards to secure a 76-70 victory over Southern (9-8).Despite a relentless perimeter assault from Southern, ...
BRICK — In a defensive grind that came down to the final possessions, the Barnegat Bengals secured a hard-fought 48-45 victory over Brick Township on Monday night. The win moves Barnegat to 8-9 on the season, while the Dragons fall to 8-11.The Bengals established an early rhythm, jumping out to a ...
BARNEGAT, NJ – The Barnegat Township Police Department has officially released its 2025 Annual Report, offering a comprehensive look at public safety, crime statistics, and community engagement over the past year. Under the leadership of Chief Jason D. Carroll, who completed his first full year at ...
STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ – A routine shoplifting call at a local home improvement store led to a double arrest and the discovery of multiple outstanding warrants last month.On January 21, 2026, at approximately 4:00 PM, officers from the Stafford Township Police Department responded to the Lowe’s ...
BARNEGAT, NJ – Local veterans' organizations and the Barnegat Township School District are calling on residents from across the Route 9 corridor and beyond to gather this March in honor of those who served during the Vietnam War.VFW Post 10092 is encouraging community members from Bayville, ...
NEW EGYPT, NJ — The Barnegat High School boys wrestling team put on a clinic this past Saturday, sweeping their tri-meet with dominant victories over both Pitman and host New Egypt. The Bengals showcased their depth and power, racking up a combined 108 points across the two contests.Bengals Cruise ...
BARNEGAT — The youth movement is in full swing for Barnegat boys basketball. Behind a stellar performance from a pair of freshmen, the Bengals (7-9) successfully defended their home court to kick off the Battle at Barnegat showcase, holding off Absegami for a 53-48 victory.The event, which pits ...
BARNEGAT - It was a night to celebrate the seniors at Barnegat High. Rachel Bonhard, Madysen Plescho, and Lizzie Medina were honored at the contest by Coach Nicolini. In a Shore Conference showdown where points were at a premium, Barnegat relied on a stifling defense and a sharpshooting performance ...
BARNEGAT — As temperatures across the region plummet, St. Mary’s Church in Barnegat has activated its doors as a critical warming center, providing a lifeline for residents in Southern Ocean County. Special thanks to Monsignor Ken Tuzeneau and the St. Mary's family for stepping up to help. The ...
SOUTHERN OCEAN COUNTY — Residents of Southern Ocean County are preparing for a weekend of hazardous conditions as a rapidly intensifying "bomb cyclone" churns off the Atlantic coast. While the latest meteorological data suggests the region will dodge the heaviest snowfall, officials are warning ...
TOMS RIVER, NJ— A Pennsylvania woman has been indicted on charges of aggravated arson and eluding following a fire and related incidents in Surf City and Ship Bottom last year, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said a grand jury sitting in Ocean ...
BARNEGAT — Behind explosive 20-point performances from Noah Perna and Jake Sliwinski, Southern Regional (9-7) cruised to a 69-37 victory over Barnegat (6-9) on Thursday night.The Rams' duo accounted for over half of the team's total points, spearheading an offensive clinic that began the moment ...
STAFFORD — This weekend, the Stafford Township Arts Center will be transformed into a whimsical world of talking rabbits and eccentric queens as the Stafford Township School District presents its 6th-grade musical, Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.While the show features a cast of middle schoolers, ...
POINT PLEASANT, NJ — The Point Pleasant Boro girls' basketball team utilized a balanced offensive attack and a strong second-half surge to defeat Barnegat, 59-32, on Thursday afternoon.The Panthers (9-7) saw double-digit scoring performances from three different players, led by Taylor Lappke, who ...
STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ — Get ready to feel the "Good Times" again. The Stafford Township Arts Center (STAC) is set to host The Sweet Caroline Tour, the world-renowned Neil Diamond concert celebration, on Thursday, March 12, 2026.Starring Jay White, widely considered the #1 Diamond performer ...
LINCROFT, NJ — In a highly anticipated clash between the top two wrestling programs in the Shore Conference, the top-ranked Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) asserted its dominance on Wednesday night. The Colts secured a convincing 56-9 victory over No. 2 Southern Regional, reinforcing their ...
STRATFORD, N.J. — The Barnegat High School girls bowling team captured first place at the Game of Throws Invitational at 30 Strikes Lanes in Stratford, NJ on Saturday, January 24. This competitive New Jersey bowling event drew high school teams from across the state, highlighting strong ...
BARNEGAT LIGHT, NJ — The commercial fishing community of is mourning the loss of Ernie Panacek, a transformative leader who spent more than three decades championing the local seafood industry as the general manager of Viking Village. Panacek, 75, passed away on Friday, January 23, 2026, following ...
STAFFORD — Get your tackle boxes ready. One of the premier events for local outdoorsmen, the Southern Regional High School Annual Fishing Show, is set to return on Saturday, February 7, 2026.Touted as one of the largest flea markets in Southern Ocean County, the event will transform the Southern ...
MANAHAWKIN, N.J. — Lighthouse Christian Academy will host an open house on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 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 400 ...
STAFFORD – The story of Stafford Park is more than just a real estate transaction; it is a testament to the decades-long journey of a local developer who started right here in Southern Ocean County.Ed Walters, a 1980 graduate of Southern Regional High School, who grew up in Surf City, has seen his ...
SOUTHERN OCEAN COUNTY — The aftermath of Sunday’s winter storm continues to impact Southern Ocean County, as lingering ice and frigid temperatures have prompted several school districts to adjust schedules for Tuesday, January 27, 2026.While many main roads have been cleared, black ice remains a ...