Mendham-Chester|News|
880-Pound Shark Detected Off New Jersey Coast: Patch PM
Missing teen sought, dog rescued from Barnegat Bay, holidays back on school calendar, Yankee star rehabs on NJ squad tops our news.

I have been a journalist, columnist and adjunct professor since 2002. I've worked in traditional print media, international magazines and online media (with a small break to exclusively do academia for a year) during my career.
I was born and raised in Morris County, New Jersey where I still reside with my wife and daughter. I launched Mendham-Chester Patch in January of 2012.
After a four-year break where Patch and I parted ways, I was thrilled to be back in the fold as a field editor and this homecoming provided me with the opportunity to work with different sites in New Jersey and hopefully contributed to the national news conversation.
Currently, I am a senior regional manager due more to my advanced age than anything else. It is my honor to work with some really great people and live out my never-ending J. Jonah Jameson fantasies.
You will also always be able to spot me because when I am working, I am sporting my fedora. A trick taught to me by an old colleague of mine to help you become recognizable on your beat. So when you see “the Patch guy with the hat” make sure you say hello!
You can reach me at: russ.crespolini@patch.com
Missing teen sought, dog rescued from Barnegat Bay, holidays back on school calendar, Yankee star rehabs on NJ squad tops our news.

American Rescue Plan money, combined with a Garden State middle-class rebate, could prove a windfall for working families next month.
Retired theater teacher charged with sex crimes against students, rescuers rappel 30 feet to hiker, ducklings rescued tops our news.
Nearly 1 million New Jerseyans may be eligible for a middle-class rebate check once the new budget passes. Here's when it hits the bank.
NJ passes COVID vaccine goal, cicada ice cream is back for a limited time, 28 rabbits rescued, fake bomb threat highlights our top news.
As the Garden State celebrates the milestone in the COVID fight, there are still communities below the 50 percent mark.
Crabs participate in orgy on the Jersey shore, reward for information in shooting death of teen, noose found on college campus tops news.
The Garden State has a big revenue windfall, and Governor Phil Murphy says it could help taxpayers.
Teen missing for weeks found safe, FBI shoots, kills kidnapping suspect, fake utility worker tries to gain home entry tops news.
Nurse-turned-cop saves life, police officer beaten unconscious, Mahwah man drowns after falling from paddleboard, highlights our top news.
NJ chef to compete on special "Chopped" episode, no answers in teen's shooting death, Columbus Day calendar kerfuffle tops news.
Dogs that killed toddler to be put down, fake carjacking reported to cover crash, cop charged with assault, misconduct tops news.
The order addresses old, unresolved, minor municipal court cases related to arrest warrants and license suspensions, officials said.
New Jersey police departments will be required to equip many of their officers with cameras.
Toddler killed by dogs after falling from window, clock ticking on police disciplinary records release, a PRIDEful love tops news.
Samurai sword stolen, chief of scandal-ridden prison resigns, earthquake strikes New Jersey, gubernatorial alternatives tops news.
Yesterday's round of rough weather came early and struck fast, bringing heavy rains and spot flooding. Here is what today will bring:
The ballots are being tallied and Jay Webber, Christian Barranco earned the Republican nomination for 26th District Assembly, AP says.
Free beer for the vaccinated, $1.7 million dollar jackpot winner, an EZ Pass imposter and burglary bust highlight our top news.
Thunderstorms with heavy rain are in the forecast for Tuesday, as a heat advisory remains in place. Here's the latest forecast: