Top Asbury Park Stories In 2019: Wendy Williams, City Violence

ASBURY PARK – Asbury Park had its share of scary, tragic and uplifting stories in 2019. Here were the most-read stories for the year:

Asbury Park's Wendy Williams 'Found Drunk,' Hospitalized: Reports

Asbury Park native and TV host Wendy Williams was hospitalized after she was "found drunk" in March, suffering after her husband's alleged mistress gave birth, according to a reports. The host of "The Wendy Williams Show" was hospitalized and also had been staying at a sober home in Queens since her husband, Kevin Hunter, fathered a child with his mistress, Sharina Hudson, according to The New York Post's PageSix.

2 Cops In Asbury Park Busted Again; One Fired, Another Suspended

A suspended police officer and a fired cop were busted in December for the second time in three months for official misconduct in two New Jersey towns, prosecutors said. Both were sent to the Monmouth County jail. The two officers are now facing additional charges relating to two separate vandalism incidents from September 2019, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced on Saturday.

2 Shot On Asbury Park Boardwalk After July 4th Fireworks

A 16-year-old juvenile was in custody after two people were shot on the boardwalk in Asbury Park after the July 4th fireworks, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni The shooting occurred about 9:58 p.m. on the Asbury Park boardwalk in the area of 1st and Ocean avenues. Manalapan Township Police Officer Kyle Williams was on scene working a security detail for the fireworks display at the time of the incident and arrested the juvenile, according to the MCPO.

Grief For Fallen Asbury Park Detective With 'Infectious Smile'

The Asbury Park Police Department lost what police are saying was one of the most outgoing, personable, well-known and admired detectives they've ever known. Detective April Bird, who had "an infectious smile and greeted everyone with her dynamic personality," died suddenly in August, according to the Allenhurst Police Department and the PBA.

Ranking Says Asbury Park Is Among America's Worst: Say What?

So how could it have fallen so far, so fast? Or maybe the folks at 24/7 Wall St. made a mistake? A new report has ranked Asbury Park among the 50 worst places to live in America. Yes, that's right – just months after it was selected as having the second best beach in America.