By WILLIAM CLARK The Bradley Food Pantry in Bradley Beach is closing its doors on Fourth Avenue on May 17. The decision was made following some complaints received from the property owner about patrons waiting in line for food. Mayor Larry Fox said that about 10 families on Fourth Avenue were pressuring the pantry, complaining of people lining up early to receive assistance from the organization. St. James Episcopal Church, which allows the pantry to operate on its property, asked Director Linda Curtiss to pare down the offerings from five days a week to three before ultimately demanding that ..read more

  Coaster Photo At the Mainstay restaurant on Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park those on the Asbury Park Restaurant Tour got to sample  a mixture of  chicken, pico de gallo and cheese, over tortilla chips .   By ERIC MEIER More than 1,300 turned  our for the 11th annual Asbury Park Restaurant Tour Sunday which featured food from 24 city eateries. Hosted by the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce, it began in 2012 and has been held every year except 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. The event has been growing over time with both new and old eateries that wish to showcase their ..read more

The Attorney General’s Office is investigating a fatal crash involving an Ocean Township police vehicle that occurred April 15, in Ocean Township. One adult male civilian sustained fatal injuries. His identity is not being released at this time. According to the preliminary investigation, at approximately 9:08 p.m. on April 15  an on-duty Ocean Township police officer and multiple civilian vehicles were involved in an accident resulting in the death of a male operating a motorized scooter on Route 35 South, near Sunset Avenue. The male was pronounced deceased on scene. The involved office ..read more

Empanadas are just some of the offerings available at the upcoming Asbury Park Vegan Food Festival.     If you like vegan pizza and empanadas and a variety of other plant-based foods you might want to visit the Asbury Park Vegan Food Festival May 18 and 19. The festival is returning for the third year and is expected to bring upwards of 150 vendors and 8,000 to 10,000 hungry guests from across the region. “Everyone loves Asbury Park,” says festival co-founder Kendra Arnold. “There’s so much to do, so much to see, and it’s relaxing at the same time. There’s just something about it tha ..read more

Low Cut Connie is scheduled to perform at a fundraiser for the Asbury Park Music Foundation.   Asbury Park Music Foundation and Lakehouse Music Academy are hosting a series of events in May including live performances, an awards show and a block party.  The events are scheduled for May 17 and 18 and all proceeds benefit  the nonprofit Asbury Park Music Foundation and Music Saved My Life program. The inaugural Where Music Lives Awards Show is a rock and roll  evening with Low Cut Connie at Asbury Lanes  Fri., May 17. Doors at 5 p.m. and show 6 p.m. Tickets are $75. Door ..read more

  Asbury Park City Hall will have new hours as of Mon., May 13.   The new hours for City Hall will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The hours for the following city departments, however, will remain unchanged: Police Department, Fire Department, Municipal Court, Public Works, Construction, Tax Collector, and Code Enforcement. For more information call  732-502-5751 ..read more

On April 22 John E. McDaniel, 47 of Manchester and Angela Vanartsdalen, 40 of Neptune City were both arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance -heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia and additionally McDaniel was charged with possession of a hypodermic syringe following a traffic stop. K-9 Officer Anthony Badalamenti conducted the stop and made the arrest. On April 10 along the Ocean Avenue Promenade: Gabriel Ramirez-Quiroz, 19 of Asbury Park, was arrested and charged with lewdness, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a controlled dangerous substa ..read more

  Coaster Photo The former Al Ponte in Neptune is scheduled to become a new restaurant called Park Social   By ED SALVAS A new restaurant and bar called Park Social is planned for the space recently vacated by Al Ponte on Route 35 in Neptune. Park Social is the inspiration of Sabrina Boudreau-Gullace whose husband Matthew Gullace, is the owner of the Asbury Ale House in Asbury Park. The new eatery is Sabrina’s vision of a 1930’s Art Deco nightclub and designed to appeal to women. That means more sophisticated and upscale. Park Social should be open in mid-summer after some interior c ..read more

This is a rendering of one the homes planned for Franklin Avenue in Long Branch.   Several structures were demolished on Franklin Avenue, Long Branch to make way for new homes.     Cross Custom Builders is reshaping the residential landscape of Franklin Avenue in Long Branch with a new development of nine custom-built homes, each spanning three stories. The first one is scheduled to be completed in the fall. These residences boast an array of  features, including private garage, elevators, rooftop decks, and full basements. The listing agent described the homes as sett ..read more

Members of the Bradley Beach Shade Tree Commission planting a tree last year.   This is  National Volunteer Week and Bradley Beach  recognizes the extraordinary spirit of volunteerism flourishing within its community. In this small seaside town, covering just over half a square mile, volunteerism isn’t just a gesture; it’s a cornerstone of civic engagement and community solidarity. With approximately 600 adults, representing 20 percent of the town’s adult population, dedicating their time and talents to various non-profit organizations, Bradley Beach exemplifies a model of activ ..read more