Seaside Park Terror Attack, Creepy Clown Hoaxes, Anti-Semiticism Lawsuit: Toms River Patch 2016

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Civil rights lawsuit. Creepy clown hoaxes. Terrorism hits home. These were just some of the issues that drew readers' attention in Toms River in 2016.

Here are some of the most-read articles from the Toms River Patch for 2016, as well as some of the biggest topics of the year:

Chabad Jewish Center lawsuit

Days before Rabbi Moshe Gourarie and the Chabad Jewish Center were to go before the Zoning Board of Adjustment to seek variances to operate at the property where Gourarie lives, a federal civil rights lawsuit was filed alleging the board's refusal to allow small weekly prayer services in Gourarie's home was spurred by a "rising tide of anti-Semitism" in the community. It came as tensions were rising between the ultra-Orthodox community and Toms River residents that resulted in a five-year ban on real estate soliciting in the North Dover section of the township. The early part of the year was marred by continuing conflicts that included a dust-up over comments by Mayor Thomas Kelaher in a Bloomberg article that referred to ultra-Orthodox Jews moving into Toms River as an “invasion,” remarks he later said were simply a recitation of sworn testimony given during the real estate soliciting ban hearings. There were two incidents of anti-Semitic graffiti at Riverwood Park during the early part of the year. The U.S. Justice Department is investigating the matter.

Creepy clown hoaxes

A spate of creepy clown sightings that started in the south in late August and early September spread north, and Toms River got caught in the panic in early October. It led to two juveniles — both girls — being criminally charged with causing a false public alarm as law enforcement sought to stop the hoaxes. In the first incident, a 12-year-old girl was charged after a "clown" threatened to attack a school; while authorities were investigating that, a 14-year-old claimed she had been chased by a knife-wielding clown.

Terrorism in Seaside Park

The explosion in mid-September of a bomb in a garbage can in Seaside Park along the route where a 5K honoring U.S. Marines brought terrorism to Ocean County and put residents in a state of alert until the suspect in the bombings, Ahmad Rahami, a U.S. citizen of Afghan descent, was captured a few days later.

Other articles that drew interest:

Man Who Rescued Baby From Toms River Crash Honored

When a March crash killed Toms River resident Leah Eisdorfer, Willie Copes crawled into the overturned minivan to try to help, and pulled little Sussie Eisdorfer from her car seat and got her to safety. In April, he was reunited with the tot at a Township Council meeting ceremony.

Toms River Man, 'Black Hawk Down' Hero, Laid To Rest At Arlington

Command Sgt. Major Robert “Bob” Gallagher, the highly decorated soldier who served as a platoon sergeant in the Mogadishu, Somalia, battle that became known through the book “Black Hawk Down,” was laid to rest.

Toms River South Alum Dies In Frat House Fall

Authorities said alcohol was not a factor in the accident that killed Sean Guthrie, 20; friends remembered him as a bright, funny person.

Police Officer's 2002 Toms River Murder Spree Subject Of TV Documentary

The rampage of Edward Lutes Jr., a Seaside Heights police officer, left five people dead and much of Ocean County on edge. The Investigation ID documentary explored the incident.

Friends Raising Funds to Bring Ocean County Firefighter's Body to NJ

When David Ley died during a diving accident in Florida, friends expressed grief and raised funds to help the beloved Englishman's family bring him back to New Jersey.

• Man Rescues 4-Month-Old Baby Left In Car At Shopping Center
  
• WATCH: NJ School Bus Driver Fired After Passing FedEx Truck
  
• Bullied Girl Takes Back Her Life By Telling Her Story On Facebook
  
• Ocean County Teen's Recovery From Near-Fatal Crash Simply Miraculous
  
• 150 Dogs, Including Newborn Puppies, Removed From Howell Home: Sheriff
  
• WATCH: Deer Tries To Climb Into Howell Woman's Truck

Rabbi Moshe Gourarie, by Karen Wall; Seaside Park bombing, via Ocean County Prosecutor's Office; creepy clown via Flickr under Creative Commons licnense