Buying a home in New Jersey? Use our free Smart Start Tool to learn more about the property you&rsquo;re buying and which inspection services may make sense for that particular home.
Start here: <a href="https://callsmartchoice.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">callsmartchoice.com</a>
Simply enter the property address to review available information such as permits, flood zones, radon potential, fire history, home age, and more. Smart Start will also help identify services you may want to consider, including radon testing, sewer scope, termite inspection, lead screening, and more.
Complete Smart Start to claim your gift &mdash; a FREE underground oil tank sweep to use with your Smart Choice home inspection.
No one-size-fits-all inspection package. Learn about the house first, see what you may need, and make a Smart Choice.
Visit <a href="https://callsmartchoice.com" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">callsmartchoice.com</a> to get started.

Essex County

Eric Kiefer

New York City Metropolitan Area

Montclair

New Jersey

A Gift for New Jersey Home Buyers

Buying a home in New Jersey? Use our free Smart Start Tool to learn more about the property you’re buying and which inspection services may make...

An Essex County home inspector has built a free website that lets anyone look up the public records behind a New Jersey property &mdash; building permits, flood zones, fire history, property taxes, and more &mdash; by typing in an address.
The site, <a href="https://oprasearch.app/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Permit &amp; Parcel</a>, covers all 564 New Jersey municipalities and brings together records from official sources, including state and county databases, FEMA flood maps, and the towns&rsquo; own municipal codes. No account or email is required, and there&rsquo;s no cost.
&ldquo;I kept watching buyers fall in love with a house before anyone checked the paper trail &mdash; the open permits, the flood zone, what the town actually requires when a home changes hands,&rdquo; said Leo Betancor, a Certified Master Inspector based in Cedar Grove and the founder of the site. &ldquo;All of that is public record. It just wasn&rsquo;t in one place anyone could actually use.&rdquo;
Alongside the main lookup, the site includes free single-purpose tools: a <a href="https://oprasearch.app/tools/lead-safe/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">lead-safe inspection lookup</a> showing which of the two state-required inspection methods each town uses under New Jersey&rsquo;s lead paint law, a searchable <a href="https://oprasearch.app/lead-contractors/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">directory of DCA-certified lead evaluation and abatement contractors</a> sorted by distance, a <a href="https://oprasearch.app/tools/fire/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">fire-incident map</a> built from more than 40 years of state fire records, and a <a href="https://oprasearch.app/tools/radon/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">radon map</a> covering every municipality.
Homeowners can also <a href="https://oprasearch.app/tools/tax/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">look up property taxes and assessments</a>, <a href="https://oprasearch.app/tools/hvac-age/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">check the age of a furnace, air conditioner or water heater</a> using its serial number, and <a href="https://oprasearch.app/tools/co/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">find their town&rsquo;s certificate-of-occupancy requirements</a> before selling or renting a home.
A companion site, <a href="https://njflood.zone/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">njflood.zone</a>, gives instant FEMA flood-zone answers for any New Jersey address &mdash; built after the federal government shutdown left FEMA&rsquo;s own map site unreliable &mdash; running on the site&rsquo;s own servers with the complete flood map data for the state loaded locally.
The project was recently featured in <a href="https://www.tapinto.net/towns/east-hanover-slash-florham-park/columns/at-home-with-holly/articles/deep-dive-conversations-what-the-house-won-t-tell-you" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">TAPinto</a>&rsquo;s &ldquo;At Home with Holly&rdquo; column. Both sites are free at <a href="https://oprasearch.app/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">oprasearch.app</a> and <a href="https://njflood.zone/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">njflood.zone</a>.

Cedar Grove Home Inspector Builds Free Property...

An Essex County home inspector has built a free website that lets anyone look up the public records behind a New Jersey property — building permits...

Cedar Grove Home Inspector Builds Free Property-Records Lookup for Every NJ Town

A Hackensack Meridian Children&rsquo;s Health expert weighs in

Neptune, N.J. - September 23, 2026 - As the leaves begin to change and children settle back into classrooms, parents are bracing for the inevitable return of sniffles, coughs, and fevers. But while many view the seasonal flu as just a "bad cold," the reality of the virus is far more severe for young, developing immune systems.&nbsp;

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 2024-2025 flu season claimed the lives of<a href="https://www.aha.org/news/headline/2025-05-05-pediatric-flu-deaths-hit-15-year-high" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> 216 children</a> in the U.S. &ndash; the highest toll in 15 years for a non-pandemic season. Despite these alarming statistics, pediatric vaccination rates have been steadily dropping since 2021. To unpack why this immunization is more critical than ever, <a href="https://www.getcare.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/provider/moses-f-olorunnisola/1314727" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Moses Olorunnisola, M.D.</a>, pediatrician at Hackensack Meridian K. Hovnanian Children&rsquo;s Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, shares more.

The Life-Saving Power of the Vaccine
A <a href="https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/158/2/e2026076453/208191/Influenza-Vaccine-Effectiveness-Against-Pediatric?redirectedFrom=fulltext" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">recent study</a> in Pediatrics examining the effectiveness of the flu vaccine paints a clear, undeniable picture of its benefits &ndash; showing that the influenza vaccination reduced the risk of flu-related deaths in U.S. children and adolescents by a staggering 80% between the 2016 and 2025 flu seasons.

The research revealed that protection was robust across the board, reducing the risk of death by 77% for children with underlying medical conditions, and by 87% for children without underlying health conditions. Tragically, out of more than 1,200 laboratory-confirmed pediatric flu deaths during the study period, only 18% of the children were fully vaccinated.

Breaking Down the Basics and Dispelling the Myths
Despite the proven efficacy of the vaccine, misinformation and post-pandemic "vaccine fatigue" have been driving pediatric vaccination rates down. Many parents skip the shot because they mistakenly believe healthy kids don't need it, or because it may mean more frequent trips to the doctor.

Here are the basic facts parents need to know:
<ul><li>Who is eligible: Everyone 6 months of age and older should receive an annual flu vaccine, barring a specific medical reason not to.</li><li>Dosing: Most kids need one shot per season. However, children aged 6 months through 8 years who are receiving their first flu shot (or haven't had enough previous doses) require two doses spaced at least four weeks apart.</li><li>How it works: The vaccine isn't an instant shield. It takes about two weeks for immunity to develop. While it won't prevent other respiratory bugs like RSV, COVID-19, or the common cold, its primary role is to drastically reduce the severity of illness, hospitalization, and ICU admission if a child does catch the flu.</li></ul>

What Parents Should Look Out For
Because young children have immature immune systems, they are exceptionally vulnerable to the flu virus. Even completely healthy children can become critically ill. In fact, 52% of the pediatric flu deaths in the<a href="https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/158/2/e2026076453/208191/Influenza-Vaccine-Effectiveness-Against-Pediatric?redirectedFrom=fulltext" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> recent study </a>occurred in children with no known high-risk medical conditions.

Parents should be vigilant and monitor their children closely, as influenza infection can rapidly escalate. Look out for the following severe complications:
<ul><li>Dehydration: High fever, vomiting, and a reluctance to drink fluids can quickly become a medical emergency in young children.</li><li>Pneumonia &amp; Respiratory Failure: If a child is struggling to breathe, breathing rapidly, or wheezing, the flu may have progressed to the lungs, requiring immediate medical or ICU intervention.</li><li>Encephalitis: Unrelenting lethargy, confusion, or seizures can be a sign of inflammation of the brain, a rare but life-threatening complication of the flu virus.</li></ul>

When it comes to flu protection, timing is everything. September and October are the ideal months to get vaccinated. However, even if you miss that early window, getting the shot between November and January is still highly worthwhile, as the flu often circulates well into the spring.&nbsp;

For additional information, talk to your child&rsquo;s pediatrician or visit: <a href="https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/services/childrens-health/vaccine-facts" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/services/childrens-health/vaccine-facts</a>.&nbsp;

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Photo: Vecteezy.com

Ocean County

Karen Wall

Brick

Why the Flu Vaccine is Your Child's Best...

A Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health expert weighs in...

Why the Flu Vaccine is Your Child's Best Defense This Fall 

Brick, N.J. - September 21, 2026 - Hackensack Meridian Health is proud to support women's health and emphasize the critical importance of preventative care in our community. On October 13, Ocean University Medical Center is hosting "Mocktails, Mammos &amp; More!"&mdash;an evening designed to make routine health screenings accessible, welcoming, and engaging. By combining essential health services with wellness resources, the aim is to encourage more women to prioritize their annual screenings. Attendees will have access to on-site mammograms, educational resources, massages, and mocktails.&nbsp;Please note, screenings require insurance (ages 40+, or 30+ if high risk). No script or referral is needed as long as it has been a year and a day since your last screening.<ul><li>Event Details: Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026</li><li>Time: 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM</li><li>Location: Ocean University Medical Center (425 Jack Martin Blvd, Brick, NJ)</li><li>Registration is required:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/safety/go/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnkd%2Ein%2FecQjF4jd&amp;urlhash=LLel&amp;mt=JsAyrQhVuk4F0psyANCXD19lAq48uibKxBUY0ISiBGc3Yi1P3i3DnebZM-X95E7kzZKkJIMiLH8udKOthd2P4QB9lqrAgFN4XTY4z45AVR8DXczYaWVHKu6S&amp;isSdui=true" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">https://lnkd.in/ecQjF4jd</a> </li></ul>###

Mocktails, Mammos & More at Hackensack Meridian...

Brick, N.J. - September 21, 2026 - Hackensack Meridian Health is proud to support women's health and emphasize the critical importance of...

Mocktails, Mammos & More at Hackensack Meridian OUMC

Historic donation, the largest in the network's history and the largest of its kind in New Jersey healthcare, will expand Jersey Shore University Medical Center &mdash; and honor the late John K. Lloyd
September 14, 2026 &mdash; Iselin, NJ &mdash; Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH), New Jersey's largest and most comprehensive health network, today announced a transformational $125 million gift from an anonymous donor &mdash; the largest philanthropic commitment in the network's history, the largest gift of its kind in New Jersey healthcare, and among the largest donations to any hospital or health system in the United States.
The gift will advance HMH's mission to bring the best nationally ranked care closer to the people and communities it serves by expanding Jersey Shore University Medical Center. The donor, who has requested anonymity, has asked that the gift honor the legacy of the late John K. Lloyd by naming a pavilion at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune after him. A dedication ceremony will take place in the future. John K. Lloyd was a visionary leader who spent more than four decades building Jersey Shore University Medical Center into one of the nation's premier academic medical centers and served as co-CEO of HMH with Bob Garrett.&nbsp;
"In a year when the largest gifts in American healthcare have come from some of the most recognizable names in the country, someone chose to give $125 million and ask for nothing &mdash; no name on the building, no announcement, no recognition," said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, chief executive officer of Hackensack Meridian Health. "They asked us to honor John Lloyd instead. That tells you everything about what this gift is really about. As a not-for-profit network, we put every dollar we receive right back into caring for our communities. Hackensack Meridian Health is home to the #1 adult and children's hospitals in New Jersey and the #1 and only nationally ranked cancer center in the state. We save more lives than any other health network in New Jersey; our patients return home faster and are less likely to experience complications. This gift allows us to keep getting better, every single day, for the families who count on us. And naming the John K. Lloyd Pavilion is deeply personal for all of us &mdash; John's fingerprints are on everything we have built together."
The donor hopes this gift will inspire others to make philanthropy a priority. It arrives in the midst of the most ambitious fundraising effort in New Jersey healthcare history. In 2021, the Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation launched Be the Difference, a transformative campaign to innovate healthcare with a goal of raising $1 billion. To donate, visit <a href="http://givehmh.org" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">GiveHMH.org</a>.&nbsp;
"Philanthropy changes what is possible," said Joyce Hendricks, president and chief development officer, Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation. "A gift of $125 million &mdash; the largest in our history and the largest of its kind ever made in New Jersey healthcare &mdash; reflects a donor's deep confidence in our doctors, nurses, and other clinicians. It will help us expand access, advance the most sophisticated treatments available anywhere in the country, and ensure that world-class care is not something families have to travel far to find. It's already in their backyard." 
The gift comes as HMH continues an unprecedented period of investment throughout the region.
Jersey Shore University Medical Center is the #1 hospital in Monmouth and Ocean counties, according to U.S. News &amp; World Report, and the only Level I adult and Level I pediatric trauma center in the area &mdash; the highest possible certification for trauma care. It is home to K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital, the #1 children's hospital in New Jersey, and to a Level III NICU, one of the highest levels of newborn intensive care.
As the fastest-growing hospital in New Jersey, Jersey Shore sees more than 100,000 emergency department visits each year and regularly operates at or near inpatient capacity. In response, HMH has committed more than $1 billion over 10 years through its Master Facility Plan for a new critical care tower, 24 new operating rooms, and expanded patient facilities.
HMH has also invested heavily in bringing care directly into the region, with large, multi-specialty Health &amp; Wellness Centers in Eatontown and Freehold, robust primary care in Howell, and an additional Health &amp; Wellness Center opening in Red Bank soon. At HMH Health &amp; Wellness Centers, patients can access urgent care, annual checkups, specialists, imaging, labs, and pharmacy &mdash; all in one visit. 
"These investments reflect a deliberate choice to stay rooted in the communities that depend on us," Garrett added. "Healthcare should strengthen communities &mdash; not weaken existing hospitals or abandon vulnerable patients."
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Anonymous Donor Gives $125 Million to...

Historic donation, the largest in the network's history and the largest of its kind in New Jersey healthcare, will expand Jersey Shore University...

Anonymous Donor Gives $125 Million to Hackensack Meridian Health 

Point Pleasant

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Toms River

Monmouth County

Sara Winick

Wall

Carly Baldwin

Manasquan-Belmar

Howell

Veronica Flesher

Berkeley

Asbury Park

Manchester

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