A new survey finds Superstorm Sandy has not altered the travel plans of most regular visitors to the Jersey Shore. The poll released by the AAA Clubs of New Jersey found 79 percent said the devastating storm hasn't altered their summer travel plans Two-thirds of respondents consider themselves to be regular shore visitors, and 69% of those people plan to spend the same amount or more time at … [Read more...]

One by one, the shore's boardwalks are springing back to life. It was Lavallette's turn on Monday. Governor Christie joined borough officials in a ceremony to reopen the 1.1-mile walkway, which cost $ 1.3 million to rebuild. Mayor Walter LoCicero says it's an inspiration to other areas that communities can rebound from devastating blows. Christie plans on attending a similar ceremony … [Read more...]

An internal review says federal weather forecasts for Superstorm Sandy were exceptionally accurate last fall. But the warnings themselves were confusing. The gigantic October storm lost tropical characteristics hours before landfall here, so the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration dropped the hurricane warnings. Instead it shifted to flooding and high wind warnings. NOAA's … [Read more...]

Officials say the state's unemployment rate for April was 8.7 percent, the lowest it's been in four years. The rate was 9 percent in March.  The percentage of adults considered unemployed has been dropping since January as private-sector employers have added jobs and some former job-seekers have stopped looking.  The state Labor Department says there were 11,300 more residents working … [Read more...]

Ocean County officials have shut down a marijuana trafficking network during a two month operation called “Weed Whacker.” A search of homes and businesses in Toms River, Brick, Jackson, Asbury Park, and Old Bridge turned up over 140 pounds of marijuana, about $ 500,000, drug packaging materials, and a handgun. In total 10 people were arrested: Ahmad Ahmed, 23, of 317 Barcelona Drive, … [Read more...]

Prosecutors say the death of an elderly man whose body was found in his south Jersey home this week will be investigated as a homicide. The cause of death for 76-year-old Anthony Verdicchio has not been disclosed. The body was found around 5:15 p.m. Monday in Verdicchio's trailer at Pine Acres in Manchester Township. That came after an acquaintance went to Verdicchio's home to check on him … [Read more...]

New data released by the state shows property tax rates have been rising more slowly since Chris Christie became governor. Since Christie also slashed rebates during his first year in office, the average homeowner's tax burden for 2012 was about 20 percent more than 2009, the year before the Republican governor took office. Fewer residents also now receive a tax credit or rebate, meaning that … [Read more...]

The lawyer for the Toms river man whose 4-year-old son shot and killed a 6-year-old playmate says his client is cooperating. Robert Ebberup released a statement Wednesday criticizing the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office for arresting his client in front of his family while they ate dinner. The lawyer says Anthony Senatore would have voluntarily turned himself in to face charges of child … [Read more...]

The roller coaster that plunged off the Seaside Heights amusement pier during Superstorm Sandy is being removed from the ocean. Work began Tuesday afternoon to remove the Jet Star from the surf. It fell from the Casino Pier during the Oct. 29 storm, and has become one of the defining images of Sandy's aftermath. Company spokeswoman Maria Mastoris says it should take about four days to … [Read more...]

Authorities say the father of a 4-year-old boy who shot and fatally wounded his 6-year-old playmate has been arrested and charged with having weapons accessible to children. The Asbury Park Press reports that 33-year-old Anthony Senatore was arrested around 6:30 p.m. Monday. Authorities say on April 8 Senatore's son took a .22 caliber rifle from a bedroom and fired a single shot, fatally … [Read more...]