News12NJ Report Tony Caputo News 12 continues to keep an eye on the unexpected shoal (sandbank) that developed after this past weekend's storm in Point Pleasant Beach, Ocean County. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers responded to Rep. Chris Smith's request for help on Monday, saying the dredge boat “Murden” is scheduled to be in the area later this month. Locals say it might be dangerous to boaters and those who use watercraft. It could also negatively affect the local seafood businesses if they c... Read more

By Chris Sheldon | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began work Tuesday to remove the massive build-up of sand on the southern shore of the Manasquan Inlet that has concerned multiple local officials, authorities said. Crews from the Corps have started dredging the waterway and removing the sand on the Point Pleasant Beach side of the inlet, according to Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th Dist. In a follow-up letter to Army Corps Commander Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Beeman on Mo... Read more

By Dan Alexander / NJ101.5 staff reporter - A large sandbar that has developed along the Point Pleasant Beach side of the Manasquan Inlet may be getting attention before it grows any further. Mayor Doug Vitale said in a statement on his Facebook page the shoaling was likely caused by constant southerly winds in recent weeks. Fishing boat Capt. William Egerter Jr. told the Asbury Park Press that the sandbar is taking up a third of the channel connecting the Manasquan River and the Atlantic Ocean.... Read more

Amanda Oglesby Asbury Park Press WALL - Eileen Shaklee knows how difficult it can be for young adults with autism to transition out of school at age 21. On the brink of adulthood, they lose school-provided services like speech therapy, occupational therapy and life skills training. The routine of the school day and socialization with peers come to an end. "Many parents and caregivers refer to it as the 'great cliff,' " Shaklee said. "Suddenly the… life your child received from going to school is... Read more

By Maj. Agneta Murnan New Jersey National Guard MANCHESTER, N.J. – The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs held a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of a National Guard Readiness Center at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Jan. 4, 2024. The event was attended by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, 4th District; staff of U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, 3rd District; JBMDL mission partners; senior leaders of the New Jersey Army National Guard; design and construction leads f... Read more

By Jeanne Wall Published May 22, 2024 at 3:30 AM “It will take each and every one of us to end the scourge of modern-day slavery,” Smith said. “Human traffickers never take holiday—nor can we.” Congressman Chris Smith, Sheriff Shaun Golden, Prosecutor Raymond Santiago and a panel of experts in the fight against human trafficking, took part in a symposium held at the Monmouth County Sheriff's headquarters, in Freehold on Monday. It was a unique opportunity for the large audience, mainly law enfor... Read more

Veronica Flesher, Patch Staff Posted Wed, May 22, 2024 at 4:30 pm ET Two students from Forked River were honored as part of a larger group of local students who will soon be joining the Class of 2028 at the U.S. military service academies. At a recent ceremony at RWJBarnabas Health Community Medical Center in Toms River, Rep. Chris Smith recognized and honored the cohort of eight students from the Fourth Congressional District whom he nominated. Among those eight are Forked River locals Emily Wi... Read more

At a ceremony at RWJBarnabas Health Community Medical Center in Toms River, Rep. Chris Smith (R-4) recognized and honored the cohort of eight students from the Fourth Congressional District whom he nominated and will soon be joining the Class of 2028 at the US military service academies to train to become future service members. “I join your parents, family and friends in congratulating each of you on a truly remarkable achievement — you have all been chosen to represent the Fourth Congressional... Read more

Jerry Carino - Asbury Park Press Staff Writer In early 2022, longtime Wall High School art teacher Jill Alexander shipped four of her oil paintings to an exhibit in Denver with a bit of trepidation. She’d created the works — scenes from Cuba inspired by travel there — in the presence of her ailing mother; they lived together in Wall and Jill was her caregiver. “It was uplifting for her when there wasn’t a whole lot to be uplifted about,” Jill Alexander said. Carol Alexander died of bone-marrow c... Read more

By Stephanie A. Faughnan The long-awaited expansion of Railroad Avenue could soon be a game-changer for those who navigate Route 9’s daily traffic headaches. “The Township received a $6,000,000 Congressional District Spending Grant for the Completion of the Railroad Avenue Extension from Musket to South Street and From Lacey Road south to connect into Station Drive,” said Mayor Peggy Sue Juliano. “This includes the completion of the trail.” Money awarded for the special federal grant can only b... Read more