By Jeanne Wall Published September 15, 2025 at 12:08 AM NEW JERSEY — Rep. Chris Smith has led the effort to bring more attention and funding for Lyme Disease patients and treatment in Congress since 1998. With Lyme disease surging across the country and New Jersey among the states hit hardest, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) has reintroduced the bipartisan TICK Act, a measure designed to strengthen federal support for research, prevention, and treatment of tick-borne illnesses. The bill—Ticks: Identify,... Read more

By Alex Dyer Published September 12, 2025 TOMS RIVER — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic here is now officially named for late Toms River resident and Point Pleasant Beach High School graduate 2nd Lt. Leonard “Bud” Lomell, a World War II veteran who scaled the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc in Normandy, France, in the early morning of D-Day to destroy key German heavy artillery. Lomell, who died at age 91 on March 1, 2011, was once described by the late historian Stephen Ambrose as th... Read more

By Kieran Sullivan Published September 11, 2025 JERSEY SHORE — Local officials stressed the importance of a recent bill passed in the House of Representatives appropriating funding for a “state-of-the-art” dredging vessel to address shoaling at the Manasquan Inlet and Shark River Inlet, in addition to other East Coast ports and inlets. On Sept. 4, the House passed the Energy and Water Appropriations Act for the fiscal year 2026 that includes $50 million in dedicated funds for a new shallow-draft... Read more

By James Lynch Published September 9, 2025 at 2:04 PM The son of Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong businessman and democracy advocate currently imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party, is worried about his father dying in prison if something is not done soon to secure his freedom. One of the world’s most prominent anti-authoritarian dissidents, Lai has been in solitary confinement for the better part of five years on dubious charges brought by the CCP during its crackdown on civil liberties in Hong Kon... Read more

By Karen Wall, Patch Staff Published Monday, September 8, 2025 at 1:11 PM ET TOMS RIVER, NJ — An effort to get the new Veterans Affairs community-based clinic in Toms River named for a war hero from Ocean County has finally paid off as a bill for the naming has been signed by President Donald Trump. Trump on Friday signed the bill to name the Community Based Outpatient Clinic for Leonard G. "Bud" Lomell, the World War II hero from Ocean County, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith announced. It followed months... Read more

By Phil Stilton Published September 6, 2025 WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump has signed legislation officially naming the Veterans Affairs Clinic in Toms River after World War II hero Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell, in a move timed just days before the 104th birthday of his widow, Charlotte Ewart Lomell. Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), who authored the bill, called the tribute fitting recognition for one of the most decorated Army Rangers of the war. “Bud Lomell served our nation and its veterans wit... Read more

By Jersey Shore Online Published September 6, 2025 TOMS RIVER – Just ahead of his widow’s 104th birthday, President Donald Trump signed legislation naming the new Veterans Affairs clinic in Toms River after one of Ocean County’s most revered war heroes, Leonard G. “Bud” Lomell. The bill, authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), honors Lomell, a U.S. Army Ranger credited with helping secure the success of the D-Day invasion during World War II. The new VA Clinic is located on Hooper Avenue in Toms Ri... Read more

By Daniel Nee Published September 5, 2025 A bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (R-4) that would provide $50 million in dedicated funds for a new shallow draft dredging vessel, which Smith specifically sought to address dangerous shoaling issues at the Manasquan Inlet and other locations, has passed the House of Representatives. The funding was included in the Energy & Water Appropriations Act (HR 4553). The USACE dredge boat Murden clears a channel through Manasquan Inlet, Feb. 6, 2023. (Ph... Read more

By Eva Fu Published September 4, 2025 The hot mic moment of China and Russia’s top leaders musing about immortality through organ transplants speaks to more than their mutual desire to stay in power. It touches on a sensitive topic for the regime—forced organ harvesting—the very mention of which Beijing has striven to erase even in the West. In a country with longstanding concerns about the abuse, the off-the-cuff exchange—and the casual way organ transplants came up—was unsettling to Rep. Chris... Read more

By The Lakewood Scoop Published September 4, 2025 at 7:41 PM The House of Representatives today approved the FY26 Energy & Water Appropriations Act (HR 4553), which includes $50 million for a new shallow-draft dredging vessel—funds Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) fought to secure in order to address dangerous shoaling issues at the Manasquan Inlet, Shark River Inlet, and other key waterways. “A vote ‘NO’ on today’s bill would have been a vote against a desperately needed new dredge for the Manasquan and... Read more