By Vernonica Fleisher Patch Staff A recent Lacey Township High School graduate got to be celebrated by Rep. Chris Smith before she heads off to become a future U.S. military leader. Katrina Conti, who will be attending the United States Air Force Academy, was one of eight teens in the Fourth Congressional District who were nominated by Smith and selected to attend one of the nation's prestigious military academies. Conti and the other students will join the ranks of the Class of 2029 to eventua... Read more

Jerry Carino Asbury Park Press In September 1943, shortly after he graduated from Point Pleasant Beach High School and turned 18 years old, John Wardell was drafted into the U.S. Army and volunteered for the Rangers — elite troops whose heroism in World War II's European Theater became the stuff of legend. On June 26, Wardell’s courage was recognized on in Washington, D.C., with one of America’s highest civilian honors. The 99-year-old, who lives in Point Pleasant Borough, received the Congressi... Read more

By Jeanne Wall Published June 28, 2025 at 3:18 AM — New Jersey resident and World War II Army Ranger veteran John Wardell was among the heroes honored Thursday during a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony in the U.S. Capitol, recognizing the legendary United States Army Rangers of World War II for their extraordinary service. “John Wardell and his fellow Army Rangers fought with unmatched courage and tenacity under the most difficult conditions, meeting the enemy head-on and overcoming ferocious ... Read more

— Middletown Committeeman Ryan Clarke, along with his family, were guests of Congressman Chris Smith (R-4) and attended the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony for the United States Army Rangers of World War II held in the U.S. Capitol yesterday to honor his wife Kristen's late grandfather, William Henry Kwasnicki, a WWII Ranger who was wounded three times, received the Purple Heart and also received the Silver Star for gallantry in action on D-Day. Private First Class Kwasnicki was b... Read more

By Stephen Appezzato – A coalition of environmental groups and fishing cooperatives has filed a federal lawsuit to block the construction of Empire Wind 1, the offshore wind farm that will be located about 19 miles east of Long Branch. The groups, Clean Ocean Action (COA), Protect Our Coast New Jersey (POCNJ) and ACK for Whales, along with a list of fisheries, seafood co-ops, whale watch operators and civic leaders are asking the U.S. District Court to reinstate a stopwork order issued in April... Read more

By MICHELLE LONDON Lawmakers in our nation's capital are rallying to fight antisemitism. One member of Congress told CBN News about his effort to hold members accountable to do more. "It's a very, very serious problem," Rep. Chris Smith said. The New Jersey Republican is referring to the overwhelming majority of hate crimes committed against Jews each year, even though statistics show this community only represents 2-percent of the entire population. Since October 7, 2023, the day Hamas launched... Read more

by Mallory Brennan – Marisa Amitie, a senior at Wall High School, will have her art hung in the U.S. Capitol for the next year after being named Best in Show in the 2025 Fourth Congressional District Art Competition this month. Amitie was given the honor of Best in Show for her art piece from among 75 other students from the fourth congressional district of New Jersey by Republican Congressman Chris Smith. Amitie’s piece was a depiction of her late dog, who died last year, and was made of stapl... Read more

By Stephanie A. Faughnan – Sixteen years ago, Melani Vincelli walked into a doctor’s office wondering if she had an ulcer. Today, she’s approaching her 65th birthday as a cancer survivor -with a mission to give others hope – especially those battling the same disease that nearly claimed her life. At 49, Melani was working in sales juggling a hectic lifestyle and constant stress. She began noticing symptoms: feeling full quickly, eating less, and rapid weight loss – 30 pounds in no time. But her ... Read more

— CHEMED Health Center marked a major milestone today with the grand opening and ribbon cutting of its newest facility at 275 S. Hope Chapel Road in Jackson. Guest of Honor, U.S. Congressman Chris Smith, joined CHEMED leadership, elected officials, and community partners to celebrate the expansion, which will bring much needed specialty services to residents across Ocean County and beyond. “CHEMED’s new Jackson center is a powerful example of the vision and leadership behind community-based heal... Read more

By Dan Alexander - NJ 101.5 reporter APRIL 28 - As the Jones Road Wildfire continues to be contained in Ocean County, ideal conditions for wildfires slowly led to at least three additional fires sparking up Sunday. The Forest Fire Service says the Jones Road fire has burned nearly 24 square miles (15,300 acres) and is 65% contained as of Sunday afternoon. Very little significant rainfall fell in the are on Friday night and Saturday but even if if there was more rainfall it wouldn't have made mu... Read more