Barnegat/Waretown Top Stories
By PAT SHARKEY
April 19, 2026
RED BANK — Despite a gritty defensive performance and a multi-goal effort from Keegan Dunn, the Barnegat High School boys' lacrosse team fell to Red Bank Catholic, 11-5, in a non-conference matchup on Saturday.The Caseys (5-3) were led by a dominant performance from junior midfielder Thomas Muniz, ...
STAFFORD — The Southern Regional boys tennis team continued its impressive start to the season, improving to 6-1 with a dominant 5-0 sweep over local rival Barnegat on Friday.The Rams displayed depth across the board, securing straight-set victories in nearly every flight to hand the Bengals (1-5) ...
BARNEGAT — Whether you are a devoted fan of the Bard or find yourself firmly in the "God, I Hate Shakespeare" camp, the Barnegat High School stage is the place to be this April.The Bengal Theatre Company is set to kick off its spring production of the Broadway hit musical "Something Rotten!" with a ...
STAFFORD — Southern Regional junior Garron Smith has been named the Rita’s of Manahawkin Athlete of the Week following a dominant stretch on the tennis courts and a show of mental fortitude that has defined his 2026 spring season.From the Track to the CourtSmith, a three-year varsity letter ...
JACKSON — The Barnegat girls' softball team extended its undefeated season on Saturday, picking up two victories in the Ocean County Tournament to improve to 10-0. The Bengals opened the day with a dominant 18-2 win over Lakewood before edging out Pinelands 3-2 in a tight defensive battle.Game 1: ...
STAFFORD — The Stafford Township community and Southern Ocean area is in mourning following a tragic construction accident on Monday morning that claimed the life of 34-year-old Vincent “Vinny” Trotter.The incident occurred at approximately 11:15 a.m. at a work site on Main Avenue near Homer ...
TOMS RIVER — The Barnegat High School girls golf team traveled to face Toms River South on Thursday, falling to the Indians by a score of 224-231.With the result, the Bengals move to 3-3 on the season, while Toms River South evens their record at 1-1.The match featured a standout performance from ...
MANAHAWKIN — In a match that came down to the final scorecards, the Barnegat High School golf team secured a narrow 175-177 victory over Point Pleasant Beach on Wednesday.With the win, the Bengals improve to 5-2 on the season, while the Garnet Gulls move to 3-2.Barnegat’s David Padgett delivered ...
WALL — The Barnegat boys volleyball team continued its strong early-season run on Thursday, improving to 7-3 on the year with a decisive 2-0 sweep over Wall (2-6). The Bengals controlled the tempo from the opening serve, securing the victory with set scores of 25-12 and 25-20.Barnegat's offense was ...
STAFFORD TOWNSHIP — The magic of the stage is meeting the convenience of the school week this spring. The Southern Township Arts Center (STAC) has announced an exciting new partnership with the Atlantic City Ballet to launch the After-School Family Performance Series, a program specifically curated ...
STAFFORD TWP – The local rhythm is meeting a major mission this month as the 3rd Annual Music for a Cause benefit prepares to take the stage. On April 25th at 1:00 PM, the Main Street Church will transform into a concert venue dedicated to a singular purpose: raising vital funds for at-risk ...
BARNEGAT, NJ — Behind a powerhouse performance in the circle from junior ace Gianna Gomez, the Barnegat Bengals extended their season-opening win streak to eight games on Wednesday, defeating Toms River East 3-1 in a high-stakes divisional clash.The Bengals (8-0, 6-0) remain atop the standings, ...
BARNEGAT, NJ — The Barnegat Bengals continued their mid-season surge on Wednesday, delivering a clinical performance to defeat Holmdel in straight sets (25-13, 25-15). The victory improves Barnegat’s record to 6-3, while Holmdel slips to 3-4.From the opening serve, Barnegat established a rhythm ...
OCEAN COUNTY, N.J. — A growing community of women entrepreneurs along the Jersey Shore is challenging a long-standing reality in professional networking: that mothers must separate their ambitions from their responsibilities as caregivers.House of MOM, a mompreneur social club rooted in Ocean ...
STAFFORD – A local man is facing several years in state prison following a narcotics and weapons investigation that spanned several months in late 2025.Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on April 13, 2026, 22-year-old James Malandro of Stafford Township entered a guilty ...
STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Barnegat High School girls golf team put on a commanding performance this week, securing a pair of victories in a tri-match sweep against Toms River North and Toms River East. Led by a standout performance from Ava Brinson, the Bengals finished with a team score of 209, ...
MANAHAWKIN, N.J. — A new generation of business leaders is taking over 198 Inlet Avenue in Ocean Acres this weekend. The "Mini Maker’s Market" returns for its second installment this Sunday, April 19, offering a dedicated platform for local young people to showcase their creativity and ...
BRICK — In a defensive masterclass that redefined the term "pitcher's duel," Gianna Gomez put on a performance for the record books. The junior hurler struck out a staggering 22 batters, leading Barnegat to a narrow 1-0 victory over Brick Memorial in an eight-inning marathon on Monday.With the win, ...
HOLMDEL, NJ — In a clash of Shore area contenders, the St. John Vianney boys' volleyball team extended their unblemished record to 7-0 on Monday, overcoming a resilient Barnegat squad in a three-set battle (25-15, 19-25, 25-16).The Lancers relied on a balanced offensive attack and clinical serving ...
MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Residents are invited to give back and reduce waste at Stafford Township’s upcoming Second Chance Toy Drive, an initiative aimed at keeping gently used toys out of landfills while helping local families.The event, organized by Stafford Township’s Green Team, will take place over ...
STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ – A late-night single-vehicle accident on Route 9 sent a Waretown woman to the hospital with life-threatening injuries on Sunday night.At approximately 10:21 PM on April 12, 2026, Stafford Township Police responded to the intersection of Route 9 and Manor Drive following ...
BARNEGAT—The Barnegat Township Committee officially adopted a $37,259,261 municipal budget for 2026 during its meeting on Tuesday, April 7. The approved spending plan marks an increase of approximately $1.8 million over last year’s expenditures.Chief Financial Officer Thomas Lombarski detailed the ...
BARNEGAT — Behind a masterful performance in the circle from junior Gianna Gomez, the Barnegat Bengals maintained their unblemished record with a hard-fought 4-1 comeback victory over Pinelands on Friday, April 10.Gomez was the story of the afternoon, racking up a staggering 16 strikeouts in a ...
BARNEGAT — In a clash between two strong Shore Conference opponents, the story of the day wasn’t just the scoreboard—it was the historic performance between the pipes. Southern Regional goalkeeper Adyson Griffin reached a career milestone on Saturday afternoon, recording her 500th career save to ...
BARNEGAT, NJ — In a tightly contested Shore Conference clash, the Pinelands Wildcats (5-1) showcased their resilience on Friday, handing the Barnegat Bengals (5-2) a narrow defeat in a three-set battle. Despite a strong push from the home team, Pinelands secured the victory with a final score of ...
STAFFORD – Local residents and law enforcement officers gathered on Thursday, August 9, for a casual "Coffee with a Cop" event hosted by Beach Haven Coffee Roasters at the Manahawkin AtlantiCare complex.The event provided a relaxed setting for community members and healthcare professionals to meet ...
BARNEGAT – The Barnegat Township Police Department is inviting residents to clean out their medicine cabinets and help combat prescription drug misuse as part of the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.On Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, officers will be stationed at the ...
BARNEGAT, NJ — The Barnegat High School boys volleyball team continued its strong start to the season on Thursday, improving to an impressive 5-1 record with a decisive 2-0 sweep over Toms River East.The Bengals displayed a balanced attack and disciplined defense to keep the Raiders (1-1) at bay ...
BARNEGAT — The Barnegat girls' softball team continued their dominant start to the season on Thursday, improving to 5-0 with a commanding 17-2 victory over Point Pleasant Beach. The Bengals' offense was firing on all cylinders, racking up 11 hits and taking advantage of early scoring opportunities ...
BARNEGAT, NJ – In a physical Shore Conference clash, Brick Memorial relied on its veteran leadership to pull away from Barnegat, securing a 9-6 victory on Tuesday afternoon. The win moves the Mustangs to 3-1 on the season, while the Bengals move to an even 2-2 mark.The story of the game was the ...