UPDATE! Monday Briefs From WOBM News

News from Ocean & Monmouth Counties and around New Jersey.

LAKEWOOD - The Ocean County homeless saga continues. Reports say the attorney representing tent city dwellers has filed a brief against Lakewood Township's eviction lawsuit. He says the homeless site off Cedar Bridge Avenue was allowed to continue because tent-dwellers had nowhere else to go. Ocean County also helped to make the site more livable. The two sides head to court on January 6th.

LACEY - If you live in Lacey, you're gonna be paying more for water and sewer. Reports say the township Municipal Utilities Authority has raised the rates by four percent. Officials point to the county's utilities authority, which increased its rates.

BERKELEY - A Berkeley man is expected to go on trial Wednesday on charges surrounding the death of his friend. Trevor Murphy was on a canoe in the Barnegat Bay with Ryan Worrall in the wee hours of the morning on June 10th after a high school graduation party. The canoe overturned. Murphy returned to shore, Worrall didn't. Murphy pleaded not guilty to reckless operation of a vessel and failure to report a fatal boat accident.

TRENTON  (AP) -- State officials say last week's bear hunt resulted in 464 kills -- down from 592 last year. State wildlife researchers will spend the next several weeks taking blood, hair and DNA samples to learn more about migration and feeding patterns.

LACEY - A Lacey man is sentenced to up to 10 years in jail on eluding police charges. Reports say 37 year old Anthony Korecky pleaded guilty to criminal mischief, theft by deception, and unregistered home-improvement contracting. An eluding charge came after a DWI incident with Berkeley Police last year.

OCEANPORT - The investor who had his eye on the Monmouth Park racetrack in Oceanport pulls his bid after issues arose between the state and a horsemen assocation. Reports say Morris Bailey is withdrawing the $5 million dollar letter of credit to take over management of the track. The future of the site is now unclear.

SEA GIRT - Weigh in on the rules and regulations that govern your sailing conditions on New Jersey's waterways during the state Boating Commission's 2012 public meetings. New Jersey State Police hold five next year, starting January 11th at the Norton Community Center in Sea Girt.

TOMS RIVER - How are economic and environmental changes altering the way Ocean County will look in the future? See what county planners envision next Wednesday in Toms River. The county's draft master plan undergoes a public hearing at 6 p-m.