LAKE COMO, NJ — Lake Como has been given the go-ahead to resume its Main Street lighting improvement project, extending the placement of new lamps and fixtures southward from 18th to 22nd Avenues.

Monmouth County’s Office of Community Development authorized a nearly $42,000 allocation in federal funding to the borough to finish the project, which stopped after new lighting was ...

LAKE COMO, NJ — Now that Lake Como has received a $500,000 state transportation grant, it will be able to complete road improvements on Main Street and a portion of North Boulevard along Lake Como.

Under the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund project, work will pick up where improvements ended in early 2018 in the two-block areas of Main Street between 19th and 21st Avenues.

The ...

BELMAR/LAKE COMO — Despite Gov. Phil Murphy’s record-setting  $15.4 billion in school funding in his proposed fiscal 2020 budget, the Belmar and Lake Como school districts are among 200 districts throughout the state — and some 25 in Monmouth County — that will lose direct state aid for this school year.

State aid for the 2019-2020 year will drop nearly $69,000 for ...

BELMAR/LAKE COMO, NJ — Loretta Hill, business administrator/board secretary for the Belmar and Lake Como school districts, has garnered a 2019 Distinguished Service Award from the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials.

Hill, who has served in her current capacity for 18 years, is among four recipients statewide to receive the honor, which recognizes “long-term, ...

JERSEY SHORE, NJ — When state lawmakers approved a new tax on short-term vacation rentals, it was only to apply to online rental services, such as Airbnb.

Or that’s what everyone thought — until the tax actually took effect in October and individual homeowners who rent directly to vacationers learned that they would be required to collect the hefty 11.6 percent tax as well.

BELMAR, NJ — For Lucas Revano of Belmar, nothing could top winning his first state high school wrestling championship — except winning his second.

The Camden Catholic High School senior reached that pinnacle on March 2 when he won the 145-pound title in the NJSIAA Wrestling State Tournament in Atlantic City. Revano beat the reigning state champion in overtime, improving his career ...

BELMAR, NJ — It’s been two decades since a wrestler from a Monmouth County high school won a state championship. But all that changed last weekend when Bella Serrano of Belmar took the mat in the NJSIAA Wrestling State Tournament in Atlantic City.

Not only did the Manasquan High School senior capture the 111-pound title in the first-ever girls tournament, she became ...

BELMAR/LAKE COMO, NJ — Registration for Belmar-Avon-Lake Como Little League’s upcoming season is currently under way at the Belmar Recreation Gym.

Youngsters age 4 through 12 can sign up every Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. through March 25, and every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. through March 23. The gym is located in the Belmar Municipal Building, 601 Main Street.

For 4- and ...

BELMAR, NJ —  Belmar Youth Club continues every Saturday evening through March 23, providing youngsters with the opportunity to participate in free play and organized games in a structured, safe, chaperoned environment.

Open to Belmar Elementary School and St. Rose Grammar School students, the club is held in two different sessions, based on age:

-- For third- to fifth-graders ...

BELMAR, NJ — Accomplished audio engineer, producer and musician Paul Ritchie will lead “Basics of Computer Recording” — the latest series of free workshops offered at the Belmar Community Makerspace.

The twice-monthly sessions are held on Saturdays at 9 a.m. at the Makerspace, an innovative project of the Belmar Public Library that is located at Belmar Community ...

BELMAR, NJ — If you’re intrigued by the emerging technology of 3D printing or looking to immerse yourself in the time-honored technique of quilting, the Belmar Community Makerspace is hosting workshops in both outlets of creativity.

The free classes are currently being offered at the Makerspace, located at Belmar Community Center/Library Annex at 503 Seventh Avenue. A project of ...

BELMAR, NJ — First impressions can become lasting impressions. And for a retail establishment, that can make the difference whether customers will walk through its doors.

 “Belmar Shines” is the latest program of the Belmar Business Partnership (BBP), designed to encourage businesses to create a welcoming and inviting look — inside and outside their establishments ...

BELMAR, NJ — Working together for a “better Belmar” dominated discussion among the nearly 100 business owners and borough officials attending the Belmar Business Partnership’s annual meeting.

Newly elected Mayor Mark Walsifer took center stage at the February 26 event, held at La Dolce Vita on Ocean Avenue, as he offered an overview of the various initiatives under way ...

BELMAR, NJ — Uniforms are a necessity for many health care professionals — whether they work in a medical facility, doctor’s or dentist’s office, or a veterinary practice.

To enhance their professional appearance, Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More of Belmar is making it more affordable to add a high-quality embroidered logo to scrubs, lab coats and shirts in any ...

OCEAN GROVE, NJ — If you need a sprint into spring as the last days of winter trudge along, Serenity by the Sea in Ocean Grove is awash in specialty gifts and handcrafted items that are certain to brighten any day of shopping.

This “little shop of wonders” at 53 Main Avenue boasts displays of colorful offerings that are inspirational, funky, whimsical and zenfull.

The ...

LAKE COMO, NJ — Lake Como is among four municipalities in the state — and the only in Monmouth County — to receive a Sustainable Jersey grant to install electric vehicle charging stations in their towns.

The $10,000 award is earmarked to fund a public EV station in the parking lot of Lake Como Borough Hall at 1740 Main Street. It would be operated by Lake Como, and users ...

BELMAR, NJ — Still confused over what you can toss into your recyclables bin?

To reduce the amount of “contamination”— or unacceptable items — mixed in with recyclables, Monmouth County has released its 2019 Resident’s Recycling Guide. The booklet offers detailed lists of what is classified as mandated recyclables and what should be thrown into the regular ...

Registration deadline is Tuesday, March 19.

BELMAR, NJ — A call for “the highest level of artistry” is now under way for the Belmar Arts Center’s 15th Annual Juried Art Show, to be held from April 3 through May 4.

Artwork in all media will be considered for selection to the show, considered BAC’s signature event of the year.

Serving as the show’s ...

BELMAR, NJ — Artists share their interpretation of “the divine feminine” for a Belmar Arts Center exhibit that runs through Saturday, March 30.

“The Goddess Show" celebrates the image of the goddess, whose significance and symbolism in art has transcended cultures and time. To be on display during Women’s History Month, the curated exhibit will run ...

FREEHOLD, NJ — Paul Caneiro pleaded not guilty to charges that he murdered his brother and his entire family, and then set their Colts Neck mansion on fire to cover up those crimes.

The 52-year-old Ocean Township resident entered the pleas today, March 18, during his arraignment before Superior Court Judge Joseph Oxley. The brief hearing came less than a month after a 16-count indictment ...

LAKE COMO/BELMAR, NJ — Call it the luck of the Irish. The recent stormy weather took a welcomed reprieve today — to the delight of the thousands of revelers who gathered along Main Street for the 46th annual Belmar/Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Although the day was mostly cloudy and temperatures a bit chilly, spirits were high from the moment the procession stepped off ...

BELMAR, NJ — After being held a stone’s throw from the Belmar beachfront for three decades, the New Jersey Seafood Festival is headed to a new venue — the borough’s downtown district.

Belmar officials currently are hammering out details for the move, which will shift the popular event to be held on May 17, 18, and 19 to Belmar’s shopping hub, with food vendors to ...

It’s time to break out the seeds and potting mix to start your garden plants indoors. It’s a great way to keep your green thumb in shape over winter. Plus, you’ll save money, increase your variety of plants and jump start the growing season when you start seeds under LED grow lights. 

Indoor growing conditions often offer limited light and that can mean tall leggy ...

BELMAR/LAKE COMO, NJ — TAPinto Belmar/Lake Como is the only all-online, objective newspaper that serves residents, organizations and businesses in both municipalities, reporting news at it happens 24/7.

Accredited by the New Jersey Press Association, it is the official electronic newspaper of both municipalities and is part of the TAPinto network of 75 locally owned and operated online ...