My email is karen.wall@patch.com and I welcome your questions, concerns and news tips. I do my best to answer all reader emails. I cover Brick, Toms River, Manchester, Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant Beach, and Lakewood and do my best to keep readers informed on what's happening in their towns. I have been with Patch full-time since July 2014 but have more than 35 years in journalism, including 20 years at the Asbury Park Press. I love sports and fishing (and yes, I bait my own hook); I was the editor of Hook, Line & Sinker for four years. I have lived at the Jersey Shore since August 1979, with the exception of my college years and an 18-month stint in Northern California. I'm a Brick Township High School graduate and have a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University.
Mayor Daniel Rodrick called the move "political and disgraceful" and said it reinforces his claims of interference in the police department.
Nearly 12,000 job cuts have been announced in New Jersey since the start of 2026.
A change to the center's hours of operation has angered residents. Mayor Lisa Crate explained the reasons behind it at the council meeting.
Authorities traced activity identified by detectives to the man's home, the prosecutor's office said.
An ordinance to ban them throughout the town received positive feedback from residents.
The Point Pleasant Beach Historic Preservation Commission and Lifeboat Station 105 will share plans for the station's future.
The township is contesting 17 violations issued in April as soil removal is underway. Remediation has cost more than $200,000 so far.
The high heat of the first two weeks of July caused a significant spike in water demand, Manchester officials said.
The Brick Township branch of the Ocean County Library is set to be closed for four days, library officials said.
Cyclosporiasis concerns are causing people to shy away from store-bought fruits and vegetables. Here's where you can buy NJ produce locally.
Some passengers on the Metrolink train were treated for heat exhaustion, the reports said.
Andrew and Tristan Tate are facing new rape and sex trafficking charges involving more victims in Britain, British authorities said.
A first round of heavy rain flooded roads in multiple towns and another round of storms was expected, the National Weather Service said.
Planning a beach day this weekend? See what's in store for the beach weather at the Jersey Shore.
The department's chief retired in December, the prosecutor's office said.
The Ocean County man alleges police stopped him after he left his apartment because he is Black; the matter is under review, the chief said.
The Department of Homeland Security called Kaitlyn E. Tracey the "Maple Leaf Menace" as it shared video of her slapping the teen.
The chief returned to his office after a health issue sidelined him for more than a month.
A boys team and a girls team, both 10U, are participating in the NFL Flag Championships flage football tournament.
NJ farms adhere to food safety standards and no NJ produce has been tied to the cyclosporiasis outbreak, agriculture officials said.
