Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Fugitive ID'd In Fatal Shooting At Wawa In Toms River, Prosecutor Says

And check out Daughters Of The British Empire Bake Sale Fundraiser on the Toms River Patch calendar

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Sunday September 20th Patch AM
Sunday September 20th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Greetings Toms River! We're your go-to source for what's happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Police hunt murder suspect after deadly shooting at Route 37 Wawa
  • How Toms River's new Nexus Building clinic could change your care
  • How a $500M Parkway redesign could change your Toms River commute

Also on today's calendar: Daughters Of The British Empire Bake Sale Fundraiser and 10 more events.

Today's riddle: What do an island and the letter "t" have in common? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Some rain and a thunderstorm, with a high of 75 and low of 63 degrees.
  • Monday: A shower; breezy in the a.m., temps: high: 70, low: 60.
  • Tuesday: Rain and drizzle possible, with a high of 66 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Fugitive ID'd In Fatal Shooting At Wawa In Toms River, Prosecutor Says (patch.com) — Residents in Toms River are being urged to help locate a local man charged with murder after a fatal shooting at the Route 37 Wawa on Friday morning. Authorities say 42-year-old Toms River resident Bruce Gress died after being shot in the head, and multiple law enforcement agencies, including Toms River police and federal marshals, are now coordinating an intensive search for the suspect.
   

2. RWJBarnabas Health Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of New Multi-Specialty Ambulatory Care Facility in Toms River (tapinto.net) — A new RWJBarnabas Health multi-specialty ambulatory care center has opened in the Nexus Building on Lakehurst Road, expanding women's health and urology services for Toms River residents. The facility brings multiple specialists under one roof, aiming to make high-quality outpatient care more convenient for people in Toms River and surrounding Ocean County communities.
   

3. $500 million overhaul on stretch of Garden State Parkway aims to reduce crashes, deaths (nbcnewyork.com) — Drivers in Toms River should prepare for a massive safety-focused overhaul of the Garden State Parkway between Exits 80 and 83, including a major redesign of the Route 37 interchange. Starting in 2027, the multi-year, $500 million project will add new ramps, wider lanes, and separated traffic flows to reduce crashes, with much work planned for overnight and off-season hours.
   

4. NJ Among States Getting New Toys R Us Stores This Holiday Season (patch.com) — Toms River shoppers will continue to have a Toys R Us option inside Macy's at Ocean County Mall as the brand rapidly expands standalone stores across New Jersey and the country. While new locations are still being finalized, the company is leaning into in-person experiences, collectibles, and special events to revive the iconic toy retailer ahead of the holiday season.
   

5. Ocean County Man Accused Of Entering Home Naked With Knives Detained (jerseyshoreonline.com) — From a Toms River courtroom, a judge has ordered a 63-year-old Berkeley Township man held in Ocean County Jail after he allegedly entered an elderly woman's home naked and armed with knives. The judge cited his prior violent convictions and the disturbing details of the incident in rejecting defense arguments for supervised release and mental health treatment while the case proceeds.
   

📸 Around Toms River

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Toms River

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📣 Toms River Shout Outs!

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

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Experience Autumnal Excitement at the Point Boro Library's Fall Fest —Dan Fitzgerald Read on Patch
  • Ks Kitten Rescue Now Accepting Vendor Applications From Crafters And Food Trucks For Christmas Market —K's Kitten Rescue Read on Patch
  • Book & Handcrafted Treasure Sale Fundraiser Coming to the Barnegat Library —Dan Fitzgerald Read on Patch
  • Garden State Homegrown: A Tribute to New Jersey Musicians —Dan Fitzgerald Read on Patch
  • Seaside Heights Fire Department Shifts Training Focus for Fall and Winter —Linda Plessett Read on Patch
  • I would just like to inform everyone I am in Holiday city West and a strange gentleman came to my door this morning rang my bell with a JCPNL bad around his neck, but he was in a white almost beat up bronco he had a toolbox in his hands and he told
    me that I had an appointment with JCP and L and he did have a badge around his neck, but it didn't look legit and then he I said to him I don't have… (Nextdoor Holiday City Berkley)
  • Good morning!
    It's going to be a good day!!! Saturday, 09/19/26 (Nextdoor Holiday Heights)
  • ShopRite posted a job opening for ShopRite - Non-Foods Clerk (Saker NJ) Salary Range $15.92 - $15.92/hr in Toms River. Apply here.
  • Driveline posted a job opening for Flex Merchandiser in Toms River. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Toms River here.

Ok Toms River! 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: They are both in the middle of water. (Thank you Curt K. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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