Barnegat/Waretown Top Stories
By KAITLYN DEBARTH
March 26, 2026
MANAHAWKIN, N.J. — Lighthouse Christian Academy will host its annual auction fundraiser on Saturday, April 18, at Main Street Alliance Church.This fun and exciting event is open to the public with free admission.Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Each bidder will register and receive their assigned number and ...
TRENTON, NJ — Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) today announced the indictment of a state correctional police officer accused of planting a weapon on an inmate, committing aggravated assault, and falsifying official records to cover up ...
BARNEGAT — In a season opener defined by defensive hustle and precision serving, the Barnegat Bengals secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Colts Neck on Thursday afternoon.The Bengals (1-0) showcased a balanced roster where nearly every player on the floor contributed to the stat sheet. While the ...
OCEAN TOWNSHIP, NJ — Local families are invited to celebrate the season at a community Easter Egg Hunt and bingo event scheduled for March 29 at Corliss Park.The event, organized by the township, will feature egg hunts for children in two age groups. Children ages 6 and under will begin their hunt ...
SHIP BOTTOM — The fate of a proposed luxury indoor golf center remains in limbo as local officials grapple with a fundamental question: Is virtual golf a "retail service" or an unclassified entertainment use?The Ship Bottom Land Use Board has deferred a decision on Shot Shaver LBI until its April ...
TOMS RIVER, NJ – Local authorities are investigating a brazen evening shooting at the Ocean County Mall that left a teenager injured and sent shoppers ducking for cover on Wednesday night.At approximately 8:10 p.m. on March 25, 2026, Toms River Township Police responded to the mall on Hooper Avenue ...
BARNEGAT TOWNSHIP — Success isn't always about being the fastest or the loudest; sometimes, it’s simply about refusing to give up. This month, seven local students proved they have exactly what it takes to weather the storm.The district has officially announced the March UPstander recipients, ...
TUCKERTON – It was a split day on the links for Barnegat High School golf, as the boys’ squad dominated their local rivals while the girls’ team narrowly missed out on a season-opening victory.The Barnegat boys’ golf team improved their season record to 2-1 with a commanding 183-196 win over ...
BERKELEY — The Southern Regional boys golf team continued its impressive run of form today, securing a commanding 159-180 victory over Lacey. With the win, the Rams improve their stellar season record to 9-1, while the Lions fall to 1-4.While Lacey’s Mason Mooney claimed the individual medalist ...
WARETOWN — The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has announced that prescribed burn operations are taking place today, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, on the backside of Wells Mills County Park in Waretown.Smoke Visibility: Residents and motorists in the surrounding areas may see or smell smoke throughout ...
TRENTON, NJ — The New Jersey Legislature voted Monday on three bills aimed at regulating and monitoring the state’s growing number of data centers.The Senate passed S3379, which would require data center owners and operators to submit semi-annual reports on water and energy use to the Board of ...
STAFFORD – In conditions better suited for a windbreaker than a polo shirt, the Southern Regional golf team proved they could weather the storm. Behind a great performance from junior Paul Reilly, the Rams defeated Williamstown 166-179 on Tuesday at Ocean Acres Country Club.The victory improves ...
BEACH HAVEN – Lacing up for a good cause is about to get a lot more festive. The Reynolds Family Foundation has officially announced the return of its 3rd Annual Bunny Hop 5k & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk, set to take place on Saturday, April 4, 2026.The event, which has quickly become a local ...
STAFFORD TWP, NJ — Get ready to travel back to the golden age of rock and roll. The world’s premier Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute act, Creedence Revived, is bringing its high-octane, soul-stirring performance to [Insert Venue Name] on [Insert Date].Known for selling out venues across the ...
STAFFORD - Starting today, Monday, March 23, 2026, George Harms Construction Co. Inc. will begin emergency repairs on a critical water main serving Bonnet Island. The project aims to restore a redundant water supply to the island, ensuring long-term reliability for local residents.The good news for ...
STAFFORD — Excellence at Southern Regional High School is often measured by the numbers on a scoreboard, but this week, the spotlight shines on character. Seniors Logan Transue and Kaedyn Lipowski have been officially named the school’s Shore Conference Sportsmanship representatives for the ...
BARNEGAT LIGHT – The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is set to host a community skateboard clinic designed to help young riders of all skill levels roll into spring with confidence.The workshop is scheduled for Saturday, April 18th, from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM at the Barnegat Light Skate Park, ...
WARETOWN, NJ – Spring is in the air, and the Ocean Township Police Department is inviting the community to trade in their patrol whistles for bingo daubers. On Sunday, March 29, 2026, Corliss Park will transform into a festive hub for the annual Easter Bingo and Egg Hunt, a local favorite that ...
TOMS RIVER – Student-artists from Barnegat High School (BHS) recently took center stage at the 2026 Ocean County Teen Arts Festival, held March 16–17 at Ocean County College. The annual event, hosted by the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts, brought together the county’s most talented young ...
MANAHAWKIN – The Southern Regional golf team continues to look like a powerhouse this season, improving their record to 7-1 after sweeping a tri-match against Barnegat and Brick Township on Wednesday at Ocean Acres Country Club.The Rams posted a team score of 174, comfortably outpacing Barnegat ...
STAFFORD — Form is temporary, but class is permanent. For Southern Regional High School golfer Paul Reilly, the past week wasn’t just a display of skill—it was a masterclass in precision that has earned him the Manahawkin Rita’s Southern Regional Athlete of the Week honors.Coming into the season as ...
BARNEGAT, NJ — As the local landscape begins to shift into the vibrant colors of the season, Mercer Management Group has announced a new wave of "Spring Specials" for its premier 55+ active adult community, The Cottages at Compass Point.Located at 1111 West Bay Avenue, the development is currently ...
STAFFORD TOWNSHIP — In a clash of South Jersey golf titans, Mainland Regional High School proved why they remain the team to beat, carding a blistering 151 to hand Southern Regional its first loss of the season at Ocean Acres Country Club.The 151-169 victory keeps Mainland’s perfect record intact ...
BARNEGAT – Barnegat High School has seen a marked increase over a three-year period in students enrolling in Advanced Placement classes and the AP exam pass rate. The numbers have roughly doubled from 2022 to 2025, from 146 exams given and 82 passed (56%), to 280 exams given and 188 ...
WARETOWN, NJ — The Township of Ocean is preparing to take a trip through time this April as it celebrates its 150th Anniversary. Often referred to by its primary community name, Waretown, the township has organized a weekend of heritage-focused events to honor a century and a half of history, ...
Plant a variety of bee-friendly shrubs and enjoy year-round beauty and loads of pollinator appeal. Include a mix of spring, summer and fall bloomers, providing nectar and pollen for visiting bees throughout the season. Selecting bee-friendly shrubs suited to the growing conditions and available ...
With escalating food prices, now is a great time to start growing some of your own vegetables. Not only can you save money, but you’ll enjoy great flavor and maximum nutritional value.Take time to do a bit of planning. Your first trip to the garden center can result in buying more plants than the ...
BARNEGAT, NJ — It has been a season of significant achievement across the Barnegat Township School District, with students and faculty alike earning prestigious honors in the arts, business, and professional development. From innovative environmental galleries to top-tier finishes in statewide ...
STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ – The local soccer community is buzzing this week as one of its brightest stars, 14-year-old Jackson Feeney, officially prepares to take the next major step in his professional development. The Southern Regional student and standout defender has signed with the FC Cincinnati ...
MANAHAWKIN — The Southern Regional golf team continued its dominant start to the season on Wednesday, improving to 5-0 with a 169–197 victory over Shore Conference rival Lacey at Ocean Acres.Leading the charge for the Rams was junior Paul Reilly, who claimed medalist honors by firing a 3-over-par ...