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🌱 Patch AM: How will Asbury Park schools actually enforce all-day phone bans?

Make time for 2025 What A Wonderful Year Music Festival - Sunday on the Asbury Park Patch calendar

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Morning Asbury Park! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How will Asbury Park schools actually enforce all-day phone bans?
  • How firefighters stopped a Ridge Avenue blaze from spreading
  • How did an Asbury Park band land a national record deal?

Also on today's calendar: New Years Eve 2026- A New World 4 a New Year.

Find out what's happening in Asbury Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Asbury Parkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Sunday: Partly sunny and windy, with a high of 47 and low of 26 degrees.
  • Monday: Windy, temps: high: 39, low: 32.
  • Tuesday: A bit of rain and snow, with a high of 42 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Asbury Park Schools Awarded State Grant to Implement Bell-to-Bell Phone-Free Policy (tapinto.net) — Asbury Park public schools just received a state grant of $5,156.96 to help enforce a bell-to-bell phone-free policy for students in grades 6–12. The money can fund secure storage for devices and staff training, putting the district among New Jersey’s early adopters of stricter in-school cell phone limits aimed at boosting focus and student well-being.
   

2. Late-night fire tears through Ridge Avenue home in Asbury Park (shorenewsnetwork.com) — Firefighters in Asbury Park knocked down a late-night blaze Friday on the 100 block of Ridge Avenue, preventing it from spreading to neighboring homes and reporting no injuries. Crews from the Asbury Park Fire Department and nearby towns battled heavy smoke and flames for several hours and are now investigating the cause and extent of the damage.
   

3. Makin Waves Top 10 Jersey Indie Albums of 2025 (newjerseystage.com) — An Asbury Park band, Emerson Woolf & the Wishbones, just landed on a Top 10 list of Jersey indie releases after their EP “Too Easy to Kill” drew enough buzz to earn them a record deal with California’s Broke Records. The label is now pushing the five-song EP nationally, giving this hometown act wider airplay alongside several other socially conscious New Jersey artists.
   

4. Garden State Equality Board Statement on External Review (insidernj.com) — Based in Asbury Park, Garden State Equality’s board says it has hired an outside law firm led by former New Jersey state comptroller Matt Boxer to conduct a comprehensive review of its operations. The move follows concern over allegations involving a former staff member, with the board pledging transparency and asking stakeholders for patience during the process.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Fulfill Expands Fresh Food Access with Donation of Refrigerated Vans to Local Pantries —NJNews4You Read on Patch
  • Allied Universal Security Services posted a job opening for Security Officer - Residential Front Desk in Asbury Park. Apply here.
  • PS Lifestyle, LLC - PS Salon & Spa posted a job opening for Receptionist / Salon Coordinator in Neptune. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Asbury Park here.

Ok Asbury Park! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel lightheaded!
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