By Jim Lonergan Published March 9, 2025 at 2:46 PM – Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04) was recently recognized for his dedication to stomach cancer research, receiving the Congressional Steward of the Dream Award from Debbie’s Dream Foundation at a Capitol Hill event on February 26. The award, presented by Melani Vincelli, leader of the foundation’s New Jersey South Chapter and a 16-year stomach cancer survivor, highlights Smith’s unwavering efforts to advance research and secure critical funding... Read more

By Jerry Carino Asbury Park Press Writer - Pete Celentano was in a foxhole with three other U.S. Army soldiers in northern Vietnam in 1967 when an artillery shell landed in their midst. “When I woke up, the two guys on my left, they were disintegrated — there was nothing left of them,” the Jackson resident recalled, adding that the fourth man, a sergeant, “was lying over my chest, face-down, with a big hole in his back.” Celentano had sustained shrapnel wounds to his face, neck, arms and hands. ... Read more

Carly Baldwin,Patch Staff Posted Wed, Feb 26, 2025 at 10:32 am ET Congressman Smith presents the Bronze Star to Middletown resident Mike Vaccaro Feb. 21. At either side are N.J. State Assemblymembers Gerry Scharfenberger and Vicky Flynn. (Office of Congressman Chris Smith) On Friday, Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ4) presented the Bronze Star to a 79-year-old Middletown man who served his country in the Vietnam war. The man is Mike Vaccaro. He was 24 years old when he served in the Vietnam War fr... Read more

U.S. Air Force Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, a four-star general and top commander of all air defenses for the continental U.S. and Canada, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee on February 13th that the Pentagon needs more technology and expanded authorities to deal with the large numbers of drones over U.S. military installations, including in New Jersey. The commander of NORTHCOM, the Northern Command of the U.S. military responsible for defending North America from various threats,... Read more

By Kenneth R. Cerini - In a significant win for the autism community, Congress has approved the extension of the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (Autism CARES) Act for another five years. This extension paves the way for an allocation of $1.95 billion to support crucial initiatives in autism research, early detection, and intervention. What It Means The reauthorization of the Autism CARES Act ensures that nearly $2 billion in federal funding will be direct... Read more

By Joti Rekhi published Feb 10, 2025, 12:36 PM Beaches across Ocean County are being replenished beginning Monday. The total project costs $73.5 million. It includes $30.2 million in funding from the federal infrastructure bill passed by Congress. According to Seaside Heights Borough Mayor Tony Vaz, taxpayers won't feel the pinch. Vaz said 75% of the project is being funded by the federal government, 25% is coming from the state, and the county commission will front the remaining 25%. "It's a v... Read more

By Ocean County Leader Feb 11, 2025 Beaches in Ocean County are undergoing a replenishment project starting Monday, with a total cost of $73.5 million. The initiative is partially funded by $30.2 million from the federal infrastructure bill passed by Congress. Seaside Heights Borough Mayor Tony Vaz assured residents that taxpayers would not bear the financial burden. "It's a very costly venture and one that we need. It's a protection from inclement weather, severe weather, flooding," said Vaz. ... Read more

Carly Baldwin,Patch Staff Posted Mon, Feb 10, 2025 at 9:37 am ET| MANASQUAN, NJ — A long-delayed beach replenishment from Manasquan Inlet to Barnegat Inlet is scheduled to begin Monday, announced Congressman Chris Smith (R-Manchester). This is a project that will improve Ocean County beaches. Sand will be dredged from three separate areas offshore, and then 2.1 million cubic yards of sand will be pumped onto the following Ocean County beaches, listed below. The sand put on the beaches will be g... Read more

by Daniel Nee - February 5, 2025 A series of meetings required prior to the development of an offshore wind project had still been planned counter to President Donald Trump’s executive order pausing all such projects pending study. U.S. Rep. Chris Smith said the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced cancellation of the meetings Tuesday after he wrote a letter questioning why they were still moving forward despite the order. The meetings would have covered the Vineyard Mid-Atlantic... Read more

Oil and gas giant Shell is walking away from a major project off the coast of New Jersey. Shell told The Associated Press it is writing off the project, citing increased competition, delays and a changing market. “Naturally we also take regulatory context into consideration,” spokesperson Natalie Gunnell said in an email. Shell co-owns the large Atlantic Shores project, which has most of its permits and would generate enough power for 1 million homes if both of the two phases were completed. Th... Read more