Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Were you near First and Clifton during Sunday’s reported assault?
Also, don't miss Elvis Birthday Bash at The Jersey Shore on the Lakewood Patch calendar
What's up Lakewood! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Were you near First and Clifton during Sunday’s reported assault?
- How a federal judge just reshaped a major Lakewood Ponzi dispute
- How the 2017 Lakewood case reshaped New Jersey’s fraud crackdowns
Also on today's calendar: Elvis Birthday Bash at The Jersey Shore.
Find out what's happening in Lakewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: The world champion tongue twister just got arrested! 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Lakewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Very windy; much colder, with a high of 34 and low of 26 degrees.
- Wednesday: Breezy with variable clouds, temps: high: 36, low: 27.
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy, a flurry; cold, with a high of 30 and low of 16 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
📰 News we're reading
• UPDATE: Police Investigating Assault Following Traffic Incident in Downtown Lakewood (thelakewoodscoop.com) — Police are investigating a reported assault following a minor crash at First Street and Clifton Avenue in downtown Lakewood, where a driver says a confrontation turned physical and left him injured. The suspect allegedly fled north on Clifton before officers arrived. Anyone who saw what happened is asked to contact Detective John Ganley at the Lakewood Police Department. 
• Federal Judge Allows Ponzi Imitidation Case Against Prominent Lakewood Religious Figures to Continue (shorenewsnetwork.com) — A federal judge has allowed a lawsuit over an alleged Ponzi scheme affecting Lakewood investors to move forward, opening the door to discovery. The case focuses on claims that local religious figures and others pushed disputes into confidential religious arbitration instead of civil court. Defendants deny wrongdoing, and no liability has been determined.
• Government Assistance Fraud is Happening in New Jersey, It's Not Just a Minnesota Thing (shorenewsnetwork.com) — Lakewood is highlighted as a major New Jersey example of welfare fraud, with a 2017 case where numerous residents were charged, prompting tighter benefit checks. The piece explains how similar schemes span Medicaid, school lunches, daycare, addiction treatment, and pandemic relief across the state. It also outlines new oversight tools and encourages residents to report suspected fraud.
📸 Around Lakewood
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakewood
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Elvis Birthday Bash at The Jersey Shore
266 Mantoloking Rd , Brick Township
7:00 pm
Saturday January 10
📣 Lakewood Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Wall Municipal Court
Wall Township, NJ Calendar Wall, NJ 07719
9:00 am - New Year's Inspiration Boards
Island Heights Public Library , 121 Central Ave , Island Heights
11:30 am - Library Closed
Asbury Park Public Library , 500 First Avenue , Asbury Park - Zone 3
Jackson Township, NJ Calendar Jackson, NJ 08527 - Holiday Tea Time
Mathis House a Victorian Bed & Breakfast and Tea Room , 600 Main St , Toms River
11:00 am - Noon Years Eve
Jenkinson's Boardwalk , 300 Ocean Ave , Point Pleasant Beach
12:00 pm - 1/2 Work Day Prior to New Years Day
Howell Township, NJ Calendar Howell, NJ 07731
12:00 pm - FJ - A Tribute to Foreigner and Journey
Algonquin Arts Theatre , 60 Abe Voorhees Dr , Manasquan
6:00 pm - New Year's Eve Laugh
Woman's Club of Manasquan , 62 Main St , Manasquan
7:00 pm - New Year's Day Holiday- Municipal Building Closed
Wall Township, NJ Calendar Wall, NJ 07719 - Recycling Center Closed
Asbury Park Recycling Center , 9 Main Street , Asbury Park
Tuesday December 30
Wednesday December 31
Thursday January 1
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 Lakewood PatchAM possible:
- Dogtopia of Brick — (475) 338-3501
Dogtopia – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Spa & Wellness - Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible! - Beach Haven Yacht Club Marina — (704) 231-9786
2026 Seasonal slips Available
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
- Estes Express Lines, Inc. posted a job opening for Terminal Clerk II in Lakewood. Apply here.
- Journeys Shoes posted a job opening for Assistant Store Manager in Toms River. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lakewood here.
🗞 Nearby News
Brick
- National ‘Drive-Through' Coffee Chain Plans Brick Location in Center of Town (shorebeat.com)
Toms River
- Special Meeting Of Toms River Council Canceled As Members Refuse To Participate (patch.com)
Ok Lakewood! 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 hear they’re giving him a really tough sentence.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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