Coaster Photo by Matt Whelan Sylvia Sylvia Cioffi (right) was honored by Asbury Park Mayor John Moor (left) and the City Council at the city’s Rock and Roll for Recreation event last week.    By ED SALVAS Asbury Park’s newest employee is Sylvia Sylvia Cioffi who started work this week as the Urban Enterprise Zone director. Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn said she was hired by City Manager Lilly Nazzaro and as an administrative appointment does not need approval by the City Council. Quinn called Cioffi an “excellent appointment” and pointed out that through her experience as executive d ..read more

  Allenhurst police are investigating a series of incidents in connection with the May 14 municipal election. An investigation is ongoing into an email sent to residents April 28 pretending to come from the police department. Police are also investigating the theft and vandalism of political signs. An election for three members of the Board of Commissioners is scheduled for May 14. Six candidates are running for the three seats. In a statement issued by the department this week it said, “To be clear, the email in question was not sent out by the APD, nor was it written or authorized by an ..read more

By WILLIAM CLARK The Ocean Grove Pier may partially reopen. After months of uncertainty Neptune Business Administrator Gina LaPlaca updated the public on the status of the shuttered ocean feature. The pier, opened just a year ago, sustained damage from severe storms that twice caused it to be closed to the public. The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association and Avakian Engineers recently tapped the McLaren Engineering Group to assess the state of the pier that extends from the boardwalk and  over the ocean. LaPlaca said McLaren sent a letter to the township informing them of their findings ..read more

This was the conga line featured at one of the Clearwater Festivals.   The New Jersey Friends of Clearwater plans to return to Asbury Park Labor Day weekend Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 for its 49th annual NJ Clearwater Festival. The celebration of the environment with music, song and information about how to protect it is the state’s largest eco-festival.   The hours are 1 to 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. “Asbury Park is a perfect location – it’s a beautiful seaside city and a certified Green City, committed to sustainability, and with a great music tradition.” said Chrissie G ..read more

By PETE WALTON The Bradley Beach Borough Council has introduced an ordinance allowing for a commission to study changing the form of government. A public hearing on the ordinance will take place at a future meeting. The borough currently operates using the Small Municipality Plan under the state’s Faulkner Act, which establishes various forms of government which communities can adopt. According to the proposed ordinance, council members “believe that it is in the best interests of the borough’s residents to review the current charter of the borough through the establishment of a five-member Ch ..read more

An Asbury Park man who entered a stranger’s home in 2021, threatened and robbed two occupants at knifepoint, and sexually assaulted one of them has been sentenced to 40 years in state prison for the crime, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said. Shawn Connolly, 37, was sentenced  by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Henry P. Butehorn, who also noted that the term is subject to New Jersey’s No Early Release Act, which mandates that 85 percent be served prior to the possibility of parole. Shortly before 5:30 a.m. Tues., Sept. 14, 2021, members of the Asbury Park Police Depar ..read more

Coaster Photo by John Cavanaugh Bruce Springsteen  presented an award at the American Music Honors event at Monmouth University   The Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music recently honored artists who have demonstrated artistic excellence and a longstanding commitment to the value of music. The  second annual American Music Honors event was held on the campus of Monmouth University in West Long Branch. The 2024 honorees are: John Mellencamp, Jackson Browne, Mavis Staples and Dion DiMucci. Robert Santelli, founding executive director of the Springsteen Archives ..read more

At the grand opening of the Baked Bear on Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park were (from left) Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce board member Sue Peckman, Councilwoman Eileen Chapman, Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn, Baked Bear owner Tyler Hess, his wife Elly and their two children ..read more

  Both drivers involved in a fatal two-vehicle collision last summer in Eatontown have been criminally charged after an investigation revealed they were both intoxicated at the time of the crash, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said this week. Zyasia M. Henson, 28, of Long Branch and Edgar G. Marcial-Diaz, 32, of Red Bank are both charged with second-degree vehicular homicide and two counts of third-degree assault by auto. Additionally, Henson is charged with two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child as well as third-degree hindering apprehension. At ap ..read more

    Chuck Lambert is scheduled to perform at the Spring Fling in Ocean Grove Sat., May 4 from 1 to 4 p.m.     By DENISE HERSCHEL The Ocean Grove Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its annual Spring Fling Arts and Crafts Show Sat.,  May 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Auditorium Square Park, Main Avenue and Pilgrim Pathway. The free event will feature a variety of crafters, artisans and makers and is a day filled with food, fun and festivities along with live music. Ocean Grove Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jessie Thompson said that the yearly event has been hel ..read more