News Briefs From WOBM News

News from Ocean & Monmouth counties and around New Jersey.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP (OCEAN COUNTY) - The use of deadly force by an Ocean Township police officer against a Waretown man last march is justified. 34-year-old Todd Wolford was shot and killed outside his Maple Street home after he pointed a gun at police.  Reports say the state Attorney General's office investigated.  Patrolman Matthew Quinn and others are named in a $10million wrongful death lawsuit

NEWARK - A Florida man who once called Toms River home is up on federal bankruptcy fraud charges. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Newark says that Bryan Young, 39, now of Venice, Florida, turned himself in to FBI agents there and appeared today in court. He's accused of hiding more than $1,500,000 in cash and tangible assets after filing for Chapter Seven protections in  2008. Each of the two counts carries a possible penalty of up to five years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.

BRICK - The mayor's paycheck is back on the Brick Township Council agenda. An ordinance to be taken up tonight would reduce the wage rate from $52,000 to $15,000 a year if the Mayor holds a full time job. Mayor Steve Acropolis heads the Toms River MUA. He's offered to take a dollar as mayor if the Council would give up benefits.

WEST LONG BRANCH - If you want to help shape New Jersey's physical, economic and environmental future, your next chance is tonight at Monmouth University. Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno presents the state Strategic Plan and takes your comments. The presentation starts at 6 PM and public hearing at 7 PM in Bey Hall.

LAKEWOOD - With a homeless population of roughly 70 and conditions described by its building inspector as deteriorating, Lakewood Township officials say they're looking forward to mediation in their lawsuit to clear the land. Former Red Bank Mayor Ed McKenna is reviewing the case that also involves negligence counterclaims against township and Ocean County officials.

FREEHOLD - Monmouth County's proposed $487,000,000 budget undergoes public comment tomorrow night at the County Library Headquarters in Manalapan, and Thursday at the Eastern Library in Shrewsbury. Freeholders scrambled to close a $14,000,000 gap stemming from reduced revenues, delivering a plan that they say will keep tax rates stable. Spending is down more than $4,000,000 in the proposal, and it's been slashed more than $9.000.000 in the past two years.

RED BANK - A Red Bank man remains in critical condition after being struck by an NJ Transit train.  Police say it happened Sunday night.  Jose Melgar suffered fractures to his skull, arms and legs.  An investigation is ongoing.

TOMS RIVER - Funding for Downtown Toms River lands on the Township Council's agenda tonight. The Downtown Improvement District presents its 2012 spending plan in its annual bid for township financial support.  The meeting starts at 6 in Town Hall.

BRICK - Brick Police collar a suspect in Sunday's attempted burglary of a Sunoco station on Brick Boulevard. Police say that Kory Barrow, 24, of the township, was caught on surveillance video trying to kick in the front glass door just before investigators responded to an alarm. They say his shoe print matches the one they found on the door.

POINT PLEASANT- Two nights of detours at the Route 88 bridge over Point Pleasant Canal this week. New Jersey transporatation officials say electrical repairs will keep it closed 9PM 'til 6AM Wednesday and Thursday. Traffic moves along Beaver Dam Road, the Lovelandtown Bridge, and Bay Avenue.

BELMAR - Grandma, gramps and the kids need not worry about having to stand for Sunday's Saint Patrick's Day Parade in Belmar. Organizers are setting up bleachers for seniors and families with children on Main Street near the reviewing stand on 10th, and also between 12th and 13th Avenues. First come, first seated.

TOMS RIVER - If you're not recycling regularly yet, Ocean County's getting $347,000in state grant money to help you develop the habit. The Department Of Environmental Protection is spreading $5.5million through all 21 New Jersey counties - including $368,000 and for Monmouth, and between $200 and $300 thousand for Atlantic and Burlington.

MANAHAWKIN - Is there a new order emerging through the United Nations that places America in the back seat of world affairs? Tonight in Manahawkin, Ocean County Tea Partiers discuss agenda 21 at their monthly meeting. It's at 7PM in the Mill Creek Rec Center.

TRENTON - Shore-based State Senator Robert Singer (R-30) takes a seat on a bipartisan legislative panel that examines the role of air travel in New Jersey's jobs, tourism, finances and trade. The Aviation Caucus addresses an industrial and leisure-based sector that adds about $22,500,000,000 to the state's economy annually, employing about 162,000 workers and serving as a commerce mechanism for some 55,000 businesses.  Singer's district houses Lakewood Airport, Monmouth Executive Airport in Farmingdale and some of New Jersey's 314 heliports.