UPDATE! Thursday Briefs From WOBM News

News from Ocean & Monmouth counties and around New Jersey.

BAYVILLE - A Bayville 26-year-old faces 28 federal charges of distributing kiddie porn through the internet. Dwayne Tucker, charged with possession last December, is now accused of spreading hundreds of images through a file-sharing program and e-mails from June through November 2010. Each distribution count carries a possible prison term of up to 20 years.

TRENTON - New Jersey officials say they're satisfied that the state's nuclear power stations are operating safely and have adequate disaster protection. But they're asking for a higher level of safeguards. The final report of Governor Christie's Nuclear Review Task Force studied conditions at Garden State nuclear sites after the earthquake and tidal wave that triggered a meltdown at Japan's Fukushima Daichi generator. The panel issued four main recommendations:  federally-authorized safety upgrades, increased and cooperative protection measures around spent fuel pools, quicker emergency notifications for surrounding residents and businesses, and regional drills coordinated with New York and Pennsylvania.

BARNEGAT - Granny scammers reach their clammy hooks into the township. Police here say some folks have already fallen victim to callers claiming to be grandchildren in jail who need bail money, or foreign government officials asking for wire cash transfers. Police urge you to get as much information as possible, verify names without giving any away, call directory assistance in the town where a so-called relative claims to be, and never wire cash to anyone you don't know. If  you suspect that you've been targeted, call Barnegat Police at 609-698-5000.

BRICK - Two Atlantic City brothers are arrested in Brick Township - and one was wanted for questioning in Toms River. Police staking out a Chambers Bridge Road house last Saturday arrested 35-year-old Hasan Singleton as he drove off, seizing 411 bags of heroin and $3,700 in cash. But it was his brother, Hakim, 34 who was sought by Toms River Police in connection with a handgun incident. They found him shortly after, leaving the same dwelling with a companion in another car and, say police, carrying $4,000 cash. He was also the subject of an Atlantic City warrant. Investigators say they found no weapons in either arrest.

LAKEWOOD - The Ocean County Fire Marshal is investigating a blaze that broke out in Lakewood last night. It appears to have started in the cab of a truck on Rutgers Boulevard. No one was injured.

POINT PLEASANT BEACH - Point Beach Mayor Vincent Barella wants the Council to look into why a police officer collected over $70,000 in overtime pay last year. The Asbury Park Press reports Police Chief Kevin O'Hara blames the Council for failing to let them hire more officers. O'Hara argues some are doing the work of multiple people. Mayor Barella wants the issue addressed at their upcoming February 21st meeting.

JACKSON - A chemical spill at the Four Seasons senior community in Jackson Township creates panic among residents and brings out first responders. Jackson Police confirm a call came in yesterday afternoon regarding a chemical odor. Turns out it was a 50-pound bag of pool chemicals that spilled in the utility building. No one was injured.

TOMS RIVER - No surprises in Ocean County's spending plan as Freeholders introduce it during their workshop meeting. The budget is $354million, an increase of $1.5 million from the current budget. The county payroll was reduced by 56 net positions, no wage freezes and there are no new programs or services and no cuts in any exisiting ones. Freeholders say it's a bare bones budget without bells and whistles.

TOMS RIVER - Just days after Lacey Township's school board opted to move its elections from April to November, two more Ocean County school districts explore the idea. The Toms River Board of Ed meets tonight to discuss it in a special session at High School South. Lakewood's school officials address it Monday night.

JERSEY CITY - Snooki and J-woww have landed...in Jersey city. 495 productions, the producers of MTV's Jersey Shore, have obtained permits to shoot a spin-off show in the city for six weeks. Hoboken had turned down their requests for permits citing public safety and quality of life concerns.

SHIP BOTTOM - An 18-year-old Bergen County woman drives off a bulkhead and into the Barnegat Bay Tuesday night. Ship Bottom police say the incident happened at around 7PM from the bulkhead at Barnegat avenue and 19th street. Investigating officer, Sgt James Butler says alcohol does not appear to be a factor. The woman escaped from the vehicle unharmed and there were no passengers. Police say no charges are filed pending an ongoing investigation.

FREEHOLD - A Neptune man who represented himself while on trial, is found not guilty on felony murder and weapons offenses. According to the Asbury Park Press, the jury in Freehold Tuesday ruled unanimously that 21-year-old Aron Pines was not responsible for the death of an Eatontown man. He was found guilty of a number of robbery charges. However, one of Pines' co-defendants was found guilty of felony murder in case last year and sentenced to 40 years in prison. Two other co-defendents await trial.