Barnegat/Waretown Top Stories
By KAITLYN DEBARTH
September 9, 2025
SHIP BOTTOM, NJ — Ship Bottom will celebrate its 100th anniversary with a full day of live music, food, vendors and fireworks during their annual Day at the Bay festival on Saturday, Sept. 13.The celebration will run from noon to 7 p.m. at Ship Bottom’s boat ramp, located at 10th Street and Shore ...
MANAHAWKIN, NJ— Next Level Kidz NJ, in partnership with Stafford Recreation, will host a six-week social group this fall designed to help children build social and communication skills through structured play.The program will meet Wednesdays, beginning Sept. 17 and running through Oct. 22, at the ...
SHIP BOTTOM - Ron DiMenna, the visionary entrepreneur who transformed a small surf shack in Ship Bottom, New Jersey, into the global Ron Jon Surf Shop empire, passed away on September 6, 2025. He was 88. His death marks the end of a remarkable chapter in retail and surf history, a journey that ...
STAFFORD – A Waretown woman is facing felony drug charges after a traffic stop on Saturday morning led to the discovery of suspected heroin, according to local police.Heather Mcmillian, 42, was arrested by the Stafford Township Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) on September 6, 2025. The incident began at ...
BEACH HAVEN, NJ — Beach Haven officials are urging caution after the National Weather Service issued a Rip Current Statement for Delaware beaches and parts of the Jersey Shore through 8 p.m. Wednesday.The advisory warns of dangerous rip currents that can sweep even the strongest swimmers away from ...
BARNEGAT, NJ — The Barnegat High School Marching Bengals earned first place in the Tournament of Bands Group 1A at the Region 7 Preview Competition, held at Raritan High School.The Bengals scored 69.780 and also received awards for Best Music and Best Visual.Tournament of Bands is one of the ...
STAFFORD — Senior Brody Nacarlo scored early in the second half to break a 1-1 tie, powering the Southern Regional Rams to a 2-1 victory over Point Pleasant Boro in a key Class A South divisional game on Friday afternoon. The hard-fought win marks the first of the season for the Rams, evening their ...
STAFFORD— A 36-yard field goal from sophomore kicker Cole Celeste in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference Friday night, as the Southern Regional Rams secured a hard-fought 10-7 victory over the newly-unified, No. 8-ranked Jackson High School in a pivotal early-season showdown.The game was ...
STAFFORD - In 1957, teenage brothers Phil and Don Everly revolutionized Rock ’n’ Roll with their breakthrough hits “Bye Bye Love” and “Wake Up Little Susie,” unleashing a wave of shimmering vocal harmonies that would shape the sound of popular music for generations. Their influence is evident in ...
STAFFORD – Manahawkin Lake Park was a vibrant hub of celebration and community spirit on Saturday, September 6, as the 9th Annual Ocean County Irish Festival drew large, happy crowds for a day of cultural pride and heartfelt appreciation. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., attendees enjoyed a spectacular, ...
LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce will host its Women in Business gathering on Sept. 23, highlighting programs that provide vital resources to families in the community.The members-only event begins at 10 a.m. at 4700 Long Beach Boulevard and will feature a ...
BARNEGAT – Senior quarterback Jack Haviland delivered a commanding performance Friday night, accounting for all three of his team's touchdowns to lead the Barnegat Bengals to a decisive 20-2 victory over the Manchester Hawks. The win keeps the Bengals' record perfect at 2-0 on the young season, ...
MAYS LANDING, N.J. – The Atlantic City Press and NJ 101.5 reported today that a former school employee who once taught in Stafford Township is facing additional felony charges after investigators identified two more alleged victims in an ongoing sexual assault investigation, authorities announced ...
TUCKERTON, NJ — Families are invited to Mickey’s Port of Call Pub on Sunday, Sept. 7, for a special Kids Night event featuring a hands-on play dough activity.The event, held from 6 to 8 p.m. at 327 E. Main St., will include a “Make & Take Play Dough Kit Activity” presented by Next Level Kidz ...
STAFFORD — Get ready for a day of vibrant Irish culture and community spirit! The 9th Annual Ocean County Irish Festival returns to Manahawkin Lake Park, Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. This beloved free, family-friendly event is the perfect way to spend your Saturday.Come and ...
OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — The Ocean County Animal Facilities will take part in the national “Clear the Shelters” campaign with a special adoption event offering half-price adoptions this weekend of Sept. 6-7.The event will be held at both county animal facilities, located in Manahawkin and Jackson, and is ...
MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Next Level Kidz NJ is teaming up with Stafford Recreation to bring back its Girls Club program this fall, offering themed activities designed for fun, creativity and connection.The Girls Club program, open to girls ages 5 to 8, will run at the Stafford Recreation Center, 385 ...
STAFFORD - The Stafford Township Arts Center is hosting “Taylor's Story” on Friday, October 10 at 7:30 p.m. This promises to be a great event!With a passion for storytelling and a voice that echoes the emotion and authenticity of Taylor’s music, Shannon delivers a performance that goes beyond mere ...
STAFFORD – The Stafford Township Police Department expanded its force this week, officially swearing in six new Class II Special Law Enforcement Officers. The new hires bring diverse backgrounds in academics, athletics, and decorated military service to the department.Two of the officers, having ...
BARNEGAT – Senior Leo Chamorro played a part in both goals Thursday afternoon, leading the Barnegat Bengals to a 2-0 victory over the Lakewood Piners and securing a hot start to the season.The win marks Barnegat's second victory in just three days, giving the team some early season momentum.The ...
MANASQUAN — In a dramatic season opener, Manasquan High School upset the defending Group IV champion Southern, 2-1, thanks to a tie-breaking goal in the 70th minute from junior Rey Weinseimer.The game started in Southern's favor when junior Tyler Houghton tapped in a finish off a free kick from ...
STAFFORD - The Southern Regional Girls Volleyball team kicked off their season with a dominant performance, securing a 2-0 victory against Howell High School on their home court. The Rams move to a 1-0 record, while the Rebels start their season 0-1.Southern controlled the match from the start, ...
BARNEGAT - Jayla Duff scored two goals and provided three assists to power the undefeated Barnegat field hockey team to a decisive 6-0 victory over Pinelands on Wednesday.The Bengals (3-0) showcased a potent and balanced offensive attack from the start. Alongside Duff's dominant performance, four ...
As young adults prepare for college, Alexis LaPietra, DO, FACEP, Medical Director of the RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery (IFPR) and Director of Addiction Medicine for Emergency Services at RWJBarnabas Health, asks parents and young adults to pack naloxone among other first ...
TINTON FALLS – Jayla Duff factored into all three goals, scoring twice and adding an assist, to lead Barnegat to a tight 3-2 victory over Monmouth in a hard-fought contest on Tuesday. The win keeps Barnegat's early-season record perfect at 2-0.The game was a back-and-forth battle from the opening ...
TOMS RIVER - Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on August 29, 2025, David Lyons, 44, of Glenside, Pennsylvania, pled guilty to Manufacturing Child Sexual Abuse Material and Invasion of Privacy before the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C., in connection with an incident that ...
BARNEGAT — The Barnegat boys soccer team opened its season with a hard-fought 1-0 win at home against Monmouth, thanks to a stout defensive performance and a clutch penalty kick.After a scoreless first half, the Bengals broke the deadlock midway through the second. In the 58th minute, senior Aiden ...
Stafford Township, NJ – On Monday, September 1, 2025, at approximately 5:55 PM, the Stafford Township Police Department responded to a two-vehicle motor crash at the intersection of Lighthouse Drive and Buccaneer Lane.The preliminary investigation indicates that Jayden Rodriguez, a 20-year-old ...
STAFFORD - On Friday, August 29th, The Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh Bar hosted an evening of community, gratitude, and giving back. We were proud to present a donation check to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, honoring our heroes and supporting their incredible cause.The event featured:Live ...
BARNEGAT LIGHT, NJ – The borough of Barnegat Light is grieving the sudden loss of its long-serving mayor, Kirk O. Larson, who passed away at the age of 71. A beloved and deeply-rooted figure in the community, Larson died on Saturday, August 30, 2025, while undergoing emergency heart surgery.The ...