Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a Brick EMT earned the nation’s top paramedic honor

And on the Brick Patch calendar - Five Things You Must Know About Estate Planning After 65 (Online)

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Wednesday December 31st Patch AM
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Good morning Brick! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a Brick EMT earned the nation’s top paramedic honor
  • How much more Brick drivers will pay at Parkway ramps in 2026
  • Could Brick’s Red Robin be on the chopping block in coming years?

Also on today's calendar: Five Things You Must Know About Estate Planning After 65 (Online) and 3 more events.

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

Today's riddle: I think I’ll wear only one boot today. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Wednesday: Breezy; morning flurries, with a high of 35 and low of 27 degrees.
  • Thursday: Cold; a morning flurry, temps: high: 33, low: 19. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Friday: Cold with periods of sun, with a high of 33 and low of 23 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Brick EMT Named National Paramedic Of The Year (patch.com) — A longtime Brick Township EMT has been named National Paramedic of the Year, bringing national recognition to the township’s emergency medical services. Officials praised Ricardo Lopez’s calm under pressure, leadership on the Tactical EMS Team, and compassionate care for Brick residents during their worst emergencies.
   

• Tolls, fares and even bike share rates increasing in 2026 — here's what you'll pay (nj.com subscription) — Drivers using the Garden State Parkway ramps in Brick will see small toll increases starting Jan. 5, with cash rates rising from 85 to 87 cents and E‑ZPass from 76 to 78 cents. The hikes are part of broader 2026 increases on the Turnpike, Parkway, Atlantic City Expressway, and several bridge and tunnel systems, affecting many regular commuting and travel routes for Brick residents.
   

• Multiple NJ Retailers Planning 2026 Closures: See List (patch.com) — Brick residents may want to keep an eye on Red Robin’s local restaurant, as the chain plans to close 50 underperforming locations nationwide by 2030 without naming which New Jersey sites are at risk. The article also details 2026 closure plans or possibilities for Macy’s, REI, Walgreens, Yankee Candle and more, outlining how shifting retail trends could affect shopping options across the state.
   

📸 Around Brick

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Brick

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

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Other local events

📣 Brick Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Wednesday December 31
  • Holiday Tea Time
    Mathis House a Victorian Bed & Breakfast and Tea Room , 600 Main St , Toms River
    11:00 am
  • 1/2 Work Day Prior to New Years Day
    Howell Township, NJ Calendar Howell, NJ 07731
    12:00 pm
  • Noon Years Eve
    Jenkinson's Boardwalk , 300 Ocean Ave , Point Pleasant Beach
    12:00 pm
    • Thursday January 1
  • OPEN 12pm-5pm
    The Aquarium , 300 Ocean Ave , Pt. Pleasant Beach
    12:00 pm
    • Friday January 2
  • OPEN 10am-5pm
    The Aquarium , 300 Ocean Ave , Pt. Pleasant Beach
    10:00 am
    • Saturday January 3
  • Plain Air Art Exhibit
    610 South St , Brielle
    3:00 pm
    • Sunday January 4
  • Howell Library January 2026
    Howell Township, NJ Calendar , 318 Old Tavern Road , Howell
    • Monday January 5
  • HS JV Wrestling Fight NIght
    Point Pleasant Beach High School , 700 Trenton Ave , Point Pleasant Beach
    4:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Brick PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Give Your Kids the Best Summer Ever at YMCA Camp Zehnder —YMCA of the Jersey Shore Read on Patch
  • The other night when it snowed/rained did anyone else have a plow come through their neighborhood at 3:30am?
    I'm so confused, we get 7 inches and no plow, we get a dusting and the plow spends 30 mins in the middle of the night pushing their plow on the… (Nextdoor Midstreams/Jordan)
  • The NEW (modified) Nextdoor format is what I awoke to this morning.
    Would some ND staff person or user please explain to me how is this an improvement ( Do YOU - ND reader , feel that it is now better or easier to use… (Nextdoor Hendrickson Ave)
  • The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Cashier in Brick. Apply here.
  • PetSmart, Inc. posted a job opening for Retail Sales Associate Part Time in Brick. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Brick here.

🗞 Nearby News

Point Pleasant

  • New Council Members Set To Be Sworn In Point Pleasant Beach (patch.com)

Point Pleasant Beach

Lakewood

Ok Brick! 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 heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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