Thursday Briefs From WOBM News [VIDEO]

News from Ocean & Monmouth Counties and around New Jersey.

BERKELEY - An 18-year-old Berkeley Township man escapes jail time and parole after pleading guilty to a boating accident that resulted in the death of a friend in June. During a municipal court hearing Wednesday Trevor Murphy confessed to failure to report a fatal boating accident resulting in the death of Ryan Worral. The second charge of reckless operation of a boating vessel was dropped. Murphy was ordered to pay a $500 fine and $30 dollars in court cost.

TRENTON (AP) -- State Attorney General Paula Dow is blocking public disclosure of records about overtime paid to state troopers and other state law enforcement officers. Her office tells the Statehouse Bureau of the Star-Ledger and the Record her decision does not include local police departments.

WOODBRIDGE (AP) -- The New Jersey Turnpike Authority board has adopted a $475 million operating budget that calls for the elimination of 141 full-time jobs through attrition. The budget also reflects the first of the two toll increases that took effect three years ago. Motorists will see the second increase on January 1st.

BARNEGAT - Two Ocean County men await court dates on drug charges after a bust in Barnegat. Police contend that 23-year-old Darron Garabo of Toms River was smoking Oxycodone behind the wheel of a car in a lot on West Bay Avenue Tuesday. Investigators searching the vehicle then arrested the passenger, 42-year-old Peter Kuchen of Manahawkin. They're both charged with possession of Oxycodone and drug-related items.

PATERSON - Many in New Jersey's large Muslim community and some lawmakers are condemning the Lowes home improvement chain's decision to pull ads from a reality TV show about American Muslims. Protestors plan to rally Friday at a store in Paterson, the same one that President Obama visited to view flood damage after Hurricane Irene.

BRICK - The Route 88 bridge over the Beaver Dam Creek will be getting a facelift. Reports say features will include 11 foot travel lanes, 8 foot shoulders and an expansion of 52 feet. The DOT has an engineering study underway. The project may be eligible for federal funding due to its structurally deficient status. Work won't begin till 2014.

LACEY - The state strikes down the application for a new charter school in Lacey Township. Reports say the state Department Of education cited discrepancies in the application in a letter denying the charter for the Creative Studies Charter School. Parent-led charter founder Pamela Brown is expected to receive a detailed list on the reasons for the rejection by the end of January.

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP - Berkeley Township council president Karen Davis announces her resignation during a recent council meeting. Reports say that on Tuesday, davis said she was vacating her seat on December 31st because of health concerns .

EATONTOWN - Some of the puppies rescued from a home in Spring Lake Heights earlier this week are expected to be up for adoption tomorrow. The Monmouth County SPCA says they've been flooded with calls. Find out more by calling 732-542-0040. Authorities removed more than 50 dogs and puppies that an official says smelled of urine and feces. Reports say charges against Muriel Ennis and her son Chad are pending.

More Than 30 Dogs Removed From Home: MyFoxNY.com

TRENTON - Governor Chris Christie's 10-point plan to restore Barnegat Bay is a year old. So how's it working out? DEP Commissioner Bob Martin offers his assessment today at noon at the Joseph A Citta Scout Reservation in Barnegat. Sierra Club leaders contend that the plan masks policies undermining protections and promoting sprawl. They plan to bring it up during the briefing.

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - A retired Hammonton detective is indicted for leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident that left a 15-year-old boy dead in Hamilton Township in 2010. 64-year-old Anthony Scaltrito allegedly struck Justin Montgomery with his car and fled the scene. Scaltrito faces up to 5 to 10 years in state prison on charges of leaving the scene and evidence tampering charges. He posted the $50,000 bail last year.