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Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rash of deaths on roads in Monmouth, Ocean over Memorial Day weekend
The Memorial Day weekend proved a deadly one on the roads in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Seven people died in five crashes over the weekend in the two counties, including a collision that claimed the lives of three teens in Jackson that occurred on Friday. Four of those deadly crashes happened in Ocean County, killing six and bringing the traffic death toll there to 27 people in 22 fatal collisions so far this year. More: What happened in Seaside Heights? 73 arrested, three stabbed over Memorial Day weekend There was one fatal crash in Monmouth County this past weekend, on Route 18 in Marlboro, which claimed the life of a passenger. So far this year, Monmouth County has seen six fatal crashes that have killed seven people. The New Jersey State Police do not offer ready up-to-date, year-over-year comparison figures for the counties. But the statewide comparison shows there were 244 fatalities from the start of 2024 to May 28 of that year, compared to 215 so far in 2025, a 12.7% drop. The fatal crashes in the two counties this weekend claimed the lives of three drivers, two passengers and one pedestrian in Ocean County and the passenger in Monmouth County. Ken Serrano covers crime, breaking news and investigations. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or kserrano@ This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Traffic deaths: 7 killed over weekend in Monmouth, Ocean counties
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Salvadoran from Long Branch charged by feds with carrying guns following gunfire incident
A Salvadoran man last living in Long Branch has been arrested and charged with possessing firearms as an undocumented alien and detained, federal authorities said.. Jose Manuel Menjivar Viera, 35, was initially arrested by Long Branch police following a gunfire incident in the city on Dec. 11. At 3 a.m. that Wednesday, several 911 callers reported shots being fired in an unidentified neighborhood. Police arriving at the scene saw a man riding a bicycle and carrying a large black bag. He appeared to be struggling to pedal the bike because of the size and weight of the bag, according to the federal complaint. When officers pursued him, the man later identified as Menjivar Viera dropped the bike and bag and fled. When police found the bag, they saw the butt of a rifle sticking out of it, the complaint said. Inside the bag there were two firearms, an Anderson AM-15 semi-automatic rifle and a loaded Walther P-22 semi-automatic pistol, as well as firearm magazines, ammunition and a machete, the complaint said. Police at the scene said the AM-15 smelled like it had just been fired, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigator said in an affidavit. Police searched the property where Menjivar Viera was last seen. They found him hiding in the bed of a pickup truck next door, according to the complaint. Menjivar Viera admitted to police to carrying the bag, saying he was transporting it for a person who told him to bring it to a third individual, according to the complaint. He also told police he left El Salvador and came to the Unites States two years prior. Following an investigation by ICE that included verifying Menjivar Viera's identity with, and obtaining his fingerprints from, the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador, he was arrested by federal agents May 16 when he also made his first court appearance. according to court records. His attorney, a federal public defender, did not immediately return a call. The charge he faces carries a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Ken Serrano covers crime, breaking news and investigations. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or kserrano@ This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Long Branch Salvadoran man charged by feds with possession of guns
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Yahoo
'We were all happy when we were together': A solemn goodbye for Kiley Armstrong and Evan Fiore
TOMS RIVER−They were inseparable in life and even in death, as people mourned the loss of the young couple whose two caskets stood side by side inside of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. The funeral Friday for Kiley Armstrong, 21, and Evan Fiore, 23, killed together in a crash on March 7, drew more than 250 people. Arriving in a wheelchair and weeping was Krista Armstrong, Kiley's identical twin sister, who was severely injured in the crash along with her boyfriend Ryan Chapman, 19. He was unable to attend, still hospitalized but recovering, a friend said. 'For Evan and Kiley, life has changed, yes, but it has not ended,' said the Reverend G. Scott Shaffer, the pastor of the church. As though to underscore his remarks, several doves were released into the sky after the service. More: Toms River man found guilty of vehicular manslaughter after fatal 2022 crash The obituaries of the couple each paid testament to their bond. Kiley Armstrong's obituary told how once the pair started dating, they were 'falling in love all but instantaneously, and they were inseparable thereafter – a perfect match.' Fiore's obituary also paid tribute, noting, 'Evan quickly accomplished one goal in particular that can often prove so elusive for so many - he found the love of his life.' Mike Rufano, 19, of Brick played hockey with Fiore and hung out with the couple, as well as Krista Armstrong and Chapman, who he grew up with. Fiore 'was a good kid, focused all the time,' Rufano said. 'All good people.' He recalled the time he spent with both couples, who were frequently together on weekends. 'There was a smile on my face all the time,' he said. 'We were all happy when we were together.' The couple's tragic end happened shortly before 11 p.m. March 7 at the intersection of Routes 37 and 166 in Toms River, less than a mile from the church. The two couples were returning from a New Jersey Devils hockey game. An unlicensed teen driver who authorities say was traveling at speeds of up to 118 mph in a 35 mph zone in a BMW while eluding police crashed into the Toyota Camry carrying the two couples. Fiore and Kiley Armstrong were in the front seats, and were killed in the crash. The driver, whose name has not been released because he is a minor, has been charged as a juvenile with two counts of aggravated manslaughter and a host of other charges. His case is pending in Monmouth County. Ken Serrano covers crime, breaking news and investigations. Reach him at 732-643-4029 or kserrano@ This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Funeral for Kiley Armstrong, Evan Fiore killed in Toms River crash
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
NJ event to honor three 'women of courage and resilience', support domestic violence help
In recognition of Women's History Month and in support of victim-survivors of domestic violence, Women Aware will host its first "Voices of Courage & Change" event at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) on March 25. The event will honor three "women of courage and resilience" who support survivors of abuse in their respective fields. They are New York Times best-selling author Regina Calcaterra, state Sen. Linda Greenstein and Middlesex County Sheriff Mildred Scott. All proceeds from the event will support Women Aware's free and confidential services for victim-survivors of domestic violence and their families in Middlesex County. In 2024, Women Aware served 3,035 women, children and men through its comprehensive array of services that include 24/7 hotline, 24/7 emergency shelter, legal advocacy, support groups, children's trauma reduction therapy and community outreach. Women Aware is the lead agency in the Middlesex County Family Justice Center, the first in the county and fifth in the state to bring multidisciplinary and multilingual victim services under one roof as a best practice in the field of domestic violence intervention and prevention. More: Women Aware serves domestic violence victim-survivors in record numbers The evening's program, which runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m., will present the "Voices of Courage and Change" video. The film features testimony from victim-survivors of domestic violence and was filmed and produced by students from Rutgers University's Mason Gross School of the Arts. An awards ceremony will be followed by remarks from Calcaterra, who penned the memoir "Etched in Sand: A True Story of Five Siblings Who Survived an Unspeakable Childhood on Long Island.' Individual tickets are $150 and may be purchased for yourself and/or for a victim/survivor so they may attend the program. email: cmakin@ Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@ or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on NJ event to honor three 'women of courage and resilience'
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Toms River mayor's opponents strike first, name candidates for GOP primary fight
TOMS RIVER -- A Republican primary battle is shaping up for four ward council seats after Republicans for Toms River, one of the township's two GOP clubs and frequent opponents of the township's mayor, nominated their candidates for the positions Feb. 24. Ward 3 Councilman James Quinlisk and Ward 4 Councilman David Ciccozzi are seeking re-election. They will be joined by Ward 1 candidate Robert Bianchini and Ward 2 candidate Clinton Bradley on the Republicans for Toms River ticket. Bianchini ran unsuccessfully for mayor in the 2023 GOP primary, in which Daniel Rodrick, then a councilman, beat out incumbent Mayor Maurice B. "Mo" Hill Jr. for the Republican nomination. Toms River is a heavily Republican town, and Rodrick went on to win the mayor's job in the general election that fall with nearly 70% of the vote. Toms River politics: Middletown schools reveal why Toms River mayor was put on leave; he calls it 'witch hunt' Quinlisk and Ciccozzi, allies of Hill, the former mayor, have been staunch critics of Rodrick, and are expected to be challenged by candidates who support the mayor. Rodrick's allies on the council — Council President Justin D. Lamb of Ward 1 and Councilman Bill Byrne of Ward 2 — are expected to run. Byrne took Rodrick's old council seat last year, after another bitter primary that proved to be a win for Rodrick and his allies. More GOP infighting: Ocean County commissioner is last to go in GOP boss's purge of disloyalists from board The primary will take place June 10. Rodrick said the screening committee of the Toms River Regular Republican Club, the township's official GOP organization, plans to meet March 6 and will announce candidates sometime after that meeting. The council is rounded out by three at-large members — Craig Coleman and Lynn O'Toole, who are allies of Rodrick, and Thomas Nivison, who once ran with Rodrick but is now at odds with him. Their seats are not up for re-election until 2027. Jean Mikle covers Toms River, Seaside Heights and several other Ocean County towns. She's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle, jmikle@ This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Toms River GOP primary fight: Mayor's opponents put up candidates
