The Top Berkeley Stories Of 2023: Year In Review

BERKELEY, NJ — It's been a busy year in Berkeley!

From electing a new mayor to the return of the Wunder Wiener, there was certainly a lot going on.

Here are the five top-viewed articles from the Berkeley Patch in 2023.

5. Updates Shared On Future Of Beachwood Mall In Berkeley

The redevelopment of the eyesore that is the Beachwood Mall site is in the works, and officials hope to see changes in the new year. In August, officials met to discuss what uses are allowed at the site, which has gone through many changes over the years. A car wash is being proposed for the site, along with a Popeyes. It's possible we might finally see some construction going on in 2024.

4. Blackbeard's Cave Property To Be Preserved By The County

It was a big year for land preservation in Berkeley, but hearing that the iconic Blackbeard's Cave would be turned into open space really resonated with Berkeley Patch readers. The property is adjacent to more than 800 acres of open space known as the New Jersey Pulverizing site and will extend county-owned open space leading to the “Northeast Mall Donation” property and onto the Barnegat Branch Trail.

3. Holiday City Retail Centers Sold To New Owner; Improvements Coming

At the beginning of the year, it was announced that 10 Hovnanian-owned properties in Berkeley, Toms River and Brick were purchased by Lakewood-based Horizon Equities. The news came as a big surprise to Holiday City residents. The firm said it would invest in site improvements, like modernizing facades, new signs, parking lot repaving and more.

2. 'We Want Justice': Central Students Protest After Classmate's Death

The biggest news story that came out of Berkeley this year, unfortunately, was the bullying and suicide of 14-year-old Adriana Kuch. Her death brought demands for change in the district and led to the resignation of Central Regional's superintendent and new rules and regulations. And it all started just days after Kuch's death, when her classmates and friends walked out of school in a peaceful protest where they sought justice.

1. 9-Foot Shark Surfaces Off The Coast Of Ocean County

And the top-read story from the Berkeley Patch this year? It was about Simon, a 434-pound white shark that surfaced off the coast of Island Beach State Park this past spring. OCEARCH experts are tracked the migration of white sharks like Simon as they headed north for the summer. This particular shark then swam up to the area of Fire Island.