Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Why Lakewood’s town square just became a parking lot

Spotted on the Lakewood calendar: Matt Stone as ELVIS

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Wednesday August 26th Patch AM
Wednesday August 26th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hi Lakewood! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Lakewood's town square just became a parking lot
  • How a rejected tax waiver triggered Lakewood's $2.75M school busing cut.
  • Massive blaze engulfs Mordy's Shtiebel near Lakewood-Jackson border

Also on today's calendar: 10th Anniversary Ocean County Irish Festival and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the wall say to the other wall. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 83 and low of 66 degrees.
  • Thursday: Showers and a heavier t-storm, temps: high: 83, low: 69.
  • Friday: A shower and t-storm; humid, with a high of 80 and low of 65 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Lakewood town square turned into temporary parking sparks opposition (app.com) — Lakewood's longtime town square at Clifton Avenue and Third Street has been temporarily converted into a 35-space parking lot to ease shortages caused by nearby office construction, displacing many regular users of the public plaza. Township officials say the paint is removable and the change is temporary, but clergy, activists, and residents worry a vital gathering space for protests, free meals, and everyday socializing could be lost for good.
   

• Explainer: The Reason Behind Lakewood's $2.75 Million LSTA Cut – And Why More Cuts May Be Coming (thelakewoodscoop.com) — Lakewood families face a $2.75 million cut to the LSTA subsidy, driving up fees for non-mandated student busing after the state rejected the township's request to exceed the property tax cap. Officials warn more cuts and possible layoffs may follow as Lakewood grapples with rapid growth, reduced state aid, and unusually high snow-removal costs.
   

• DEVELOPING: Massive Fire Rips Through Mordy's Shtiebel In Lakewood; Fear For Sifrei Torah (lakewoodalerts.com) — A major fire early Tuesday tore through Mordy's Shtiebel on Delaware Trail in Lakewood, drawing dozens of firefighters and raising serious concern for the Sifrei Torah inside. The shul, near the Lakewood-Jackson border, has become a beloved makom tefillah since opening in 2020. Officials were still battling heavy flames and had not yet confirmed the condition of the Torah scrolls.
   

📸 Around Lakewood

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakewood

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📣 Lakewood Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Wednesday August 26
  • Coffee Connector 2026
    Jersey Shore Chamber of Commerce 2044 NJ-35, Wall Township
    8:00 am
  • Wall Township Court →
    Wall Township, NJ Calendar Wall, NJ 07719
    9:00 am
  • Sea Girt Court →
    Wall Township, NJ Calendar Wall, NJ 07719
    1:30 pm
  • Planning Board Meeting
    Borough of Lavallete 1306 Grand Central Ave, Lavallette, NJ 08735, USA
    5:00 pm
  • Board of Education Meeting @JTMS
    Jackson Township School District 101 Don Connor Blvd, Jackson Township, NJ 08527, USA
    6:00 pm
  • City Council Meeting →
    City of Asbury Park City Council Chambers - City Hall 1 Municipal Plaza Asbury Park NJ
    6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Lakewood PatchAM possible:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Bella, a dog who went missing in Howell Township, NJ, has been safely reunited with their family after 17 hours, 2 minutes. Message from Owner: … (Nextdoor The Fairways)
  • Aramark Corporation posted a job opening for Cook - Georgian Court University in Lakewood. Apply here.
  • Safe Fleet posted a job opening for Assembler - Hiring Now in Lakewood. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lakewood here.

🗞 Nearby News

Brick

Toms River

Wall

  • Monmouth Executive Airport To Temporarily Close Runways: See Details (patch.com)

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: Meet me at the corner. (Thank you Earlene M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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