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In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Cornhole and more! and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: Do you know what the two sides of a circle are? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Lakewood 2026 Tax Increase Officially Approved (blogspot.com) — Lakewood homeowners will see a sharp jump in municipal property taxes after the Township Committee formally adopted the 2026 budget in a brief virtual meeting. Based on a 14.4‑cent increase per $100 of assessed value, an average $450,000 duplex could pay about $648 more a year, with officials citing reduced state aid and unreimbursed snow costs.
2. BREAKING: State Monitor Blocks Lakewood Board Of Education's Attempt To Bus Hazardous Route Nonpublic Students (thelakewoodscoop.com) — Lakewood's state-appointed fiscal monitor has blocked the Board of Education's $14.88 million plan to bus thousands of nonpublic students on hazardous routes, citing the district's deficit and large state loans. The decision leaves many Lakewood families without courtesy transportation options and may force local officials to consider legal or administrative challenges amid ongoing budget pressures.
3. Lakewood Mayor Ray Coles Responds to Your 'Ask The Mayor' Questions: Loud Parties (thelakewoodscoop.com) — A Lakewood resident living near the park by Locust and Isabella Drive asked Mayor Ray Coles about loud weekend parties and booming music disrupting the neighborhood. Coles said he enjoys a good party himself but not at neighbors' expense, and promised to have quality-of-life staff monitor the park on weekends when residents may hesitate to call complaints in.
4. Lakewood, Howell shootings: Stolen car linked to gunfire (wobm.com) — Lakewood police are investigating a late-night gunshot reported on Sunset Road, where a driver said someone in a stolen white sedan fired at him. A similar incident soon after in neighboring Howell may involve the same vehicle, and Lakewood authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the department as they work with other agencies on the case.
5. Atlantic Physical Therapy Week 4 Shore Conference Football Previews and Picks (shoresportsinsider.com) — Lakewood High's football team heads to New Egypt on Friday night, with analysts expecting a tough matchup for the Piners after an 0–4 start and a thin roster. The broader Shore Conference preview also breaks down key divisional races, standout players, and what's at stake across dozens of games this weekend.
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Ok Lakewood! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: The inside and the outside ! (Thank you James M. for sending it in!)
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