My email is karen.wall@patch.com and I welcome your questions, concerns and news tips. I do my best to answer all reader emails. I cover Brick, Toms River, Manchester, Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant Beach, and Lakewood and do my best to keep readers informed on what's happening in their towns. I have been with Patch full-time since July 2014 but have more than 35 years in journalism, including 20 years at the Asbury Park Press. I love sports and fishing (and yes, I bait my own hook); I was the editor of Hook, Line & Sinker for four years. I have lived at the Jersey Shore since August 1979, with the exception of my college years and an 18-month stint in Northern California. I'm a Brick Township High School graduate and have a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University.
The developer who proposed the 6-story downtown project alleges conflicts of interest, civil rights violations and land use law violations.
The district announced the teachers and education services professionals of the year for 2024-25.
The pre-registration is on a first-come, first-served basis for the 2024-25 school year in Manchester.
Bring the family to a new New Year's Eve event at Jenkinson's in Point Pleasant Beach for an afternoon of fun to end the year.
Multiple police vehicles were involved in the crash near the West Oakland BART Station, reports said.
The crash happened a day after a crash killed a woman a short distance west on Route 70.
The shooting on Channelside Drive was reported shortly after the Tampa Bay Lightning game started nearby, a report said.
Downtown Toms River is affected, along with parts of Island Heights, Berkeley Township and South Toms River.
Anne Rasmussen, 58, was on her way home from work, her daughter said. The driver has been identified as a Howell resident.
Anne Rasmussen died at the scene of the crash Friday. A Howell resident has been charged with DWI, authorities said.
Brick police said the crash that shut down Route 70 Friday morning remains under investigation.
The outage that started Monday and lasted into Tuesday morning led people being sheltered at Manchester Township High School overnight.
If you are looking for places to welcome 2025, here are places holding parties to mark the changing of the year.
If you are looking for places to welcome 2025, here are places holding parties to mark the changing of the year.
If you are looking for places to welcome 2025, here are places holding parties to mark the changing of the year.
If you are looking for places to welcome 2025, here are places holding parties to mark the changing of the year.
If you are looking for places to welcome 2025, here are places holding parties to mark the changing of the year.
The Ocean County First Night celebration is a family-friendly event with games, fireworks and prizes.
Police said there were no injuries, according to a report.
There were no injuries but 10 shell casings and multiple gunshot holes were found at a Flossmoor home, police said.
