'Majestic And Beautiful' Tiger At South Jersey Animal Refuge Dies 'Majestic And Beautiful' Tiger At South Jersey Animal Refuge Dies
'Majestic And Beautiful' Tiger At South Jersey Animal Refuge Dies A beloved tiger has died after spending eight years at an Ocean County animal sanctuary, officials said. Eli the tiger died after his health declined in recent weeks, Popcorn Park Animal Refuge announced in a Facebook post on Wednesday, Mar. 6. The tiger experienced "discomfort and decreased mobility" despite the efforts of the veterinarians at the Lacey Township sanctuary. Eli and his sister Jess arrived at Popcorn Park in December 2016. "After exhausting all options and considering his quality of life, we made the difficult decision to say goodbye," Popcorn Park's post said. "His days we…
'Fly High Chels': South Jersey Cheerleader Dies Unexpectedly, 14: Campaign 'Fly High Chels': South Jersey Cheerleader Dies Unexpectedly, 14: Campaign
'Fly High Chels': South Jersey Cheerleader Dies Unexpectedly, 14: Campaign A Lacey Township teen known for her love of cheerleading has died, according to a donation campaign. A GoFundMe page said Chelsea Diehl of Forked River unexpectedly died on Sunday, Mar. 3. A cause of death was not mentioned for the 14-year-old girl. Diehl's GoFundMe page had raised more than $24,000 from at least 496 donations as of Tuesday, Mar. 3. Becky Hutler-Melanson, who organized the memorial fundraiser, said Diehl's death was devastating. "She was a wonderful daughter, friend, and athlete who touched the lives of all those around her," Hutler-Melanson wrote. "Her smile lit up the r…
Pair Painted Swastikas, Started Fire In Various Locations Around Jersey Shore Town: Cops Pair Painted Swastikas, Started Fire In Various Locations Around Jersey Shore Town: Cops
Pair Painted Swastikas, Started Fire In Various Locations Around Jersey Shore Town: Cops Two Ocean County men were arrested for lighting a fire in a women's restroom and spray-painting swastikas around a public park, authorities said. Alexander Gerber, 19, and Connor Dougherty, 20, both of Lacey Township, are facing arson charges for the fire in the women's restroom in Gille Park on Nov. 21, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Lacey Township Chief of Police Christopher Kenny said. The pair are also being held responsible for spray-painting swastikas and other graffiti in various locations of the park, police said. Officers likewise discovered damage to th…
Contractor Admits Gambling Jersey Shore Renovation Money: Prosecutor Contractor Admits Gambling Jersey Shore Renovation Money: Prosecutor
Contractor Admits Gambling Jersey Shore Renovation Money: Prosecutor A home contractor has admitted spending renovation money on personal expenses including gambling, authorities said. Jeffrey Crawford, 50, of Lacey Township, pleaded guilty to theft by failure to make required disposition of property on Monday, Oct. 23, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. In May 2021, the Toms River Township Police Department was contacted by the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs with regard to a complaint lodged by a Toms River resident against Crawford, who was trading as Hercules Renovations, LLC.  A subsequent in…
Drug Dealer Sentenced In Fatal Fentanyl Overdose On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor Drug Dealer Sentenced In Fatal Fentanyl Overdose On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor
Drug Dealer Sentenced In Fatal Fentanyl Overdose On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor A 36-year-old drug dealer from Ocean County was sentenced to six years in New Jersey State Prison for selling a fatal overdose of fentanyl, authorities said. Jehmar Barrett, of Lacey Township, was sentenced for manslaughter on Friday, Sept. 22 in connection with the 2020 death of a 35-year-old woman in Tomrs River according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. On Nov. 24, 2020, Toms River police responded to a residence on Alabama Avenue for a report of an unresponsive female. Police found the body of the victim, who was already dead from an apparent drug ove…
Mom Sentenced In Toddler's Fentanyl Overdose Death On Jersey Shore Mom Sentenced In Toddler's Fentanyl Overdose Death On Jersey Shore
Mom Sentenced In Toddler's Fentanyl Overdose Death On Jersey Shore An Ocean County mother has been sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison for the fentanyl overdose death of her two-year-old son, authorities said. Natalie Sabie, 35, of Lacey Township was sentenced as a result of her previously entered guilty plea to aggravated manslaughter in connection with the death of her son on Sept. 7, 2022, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. Officers from the Lacey Township Police Department were summoned to a residence for a report of a child found to be unresponsive by his mother. Responding Officers a…
Authorities Confirm Plane Crash Caused Jersey Shore Wildfire Authorities Confirm Plane Crash Caused Jersey Shore Wildfire
Authorities Confirm Plane Crash Caused Jersey Shore Wildfire Federal, state, county and local officials have confirmed that a private single-engine airplane crash in the evening hours of Saturday, Sept. 2, in Lacey Township, resulted in an 831-acre wildfire.  The official cause was announced Wednesday, Sept. 6 by the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. The crash occurred in the Greenwood Wildlife Management Area west of Robert J. Miller Airpark and Ocean County Airport.  A 61-year-old pilot was identified as the victim of the crash on Wednesday, Sept 6.
Police ID Pilot Killed In Crash That Sparked Jersey Shore Wildfire Police ID Pilot Killed In Crash That Sparked Jersey Shore Wildfire
Police ID Pilot Killed In Crash That Sparked Jersey Shore Wildfire The pilot killed in a plane crash near Robert J. Miller Airpark in Lacey Township has been identified, authorities said. Oscar Molina, 61, of Long Brach was killed when his Cirrus SR20 crashed at about 10:40 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 near the Ocean County airpark, Lacey police said. He was the only person aboard the plane. Authorities discovered the crash while investigating what grew into an 831-acre wildfire that broke out in the area of Dover and West Lacey roads shortly before midnight Saturday, As firefighters responded to the blaze Sunday, the plane was found, Lacey police said. T…
Pilot Confirmed Killed In NJ Plane Crash Likely Linked To Wildfire Pilot Confirmed Killed In NJ Plane Crash Likely Linked To Wildfire
Pilot Confirmed Killed In NJ Plane Crash Likely Linked To Wildfire Police are providing answers to two crucial questions that have loomed ever since a plane crash in New Jersey this weekend. Authorities in Lacey Township have confirmed the pilot of the private plane in Saturday's, Sept. 2 crash died, and alluded to the fact that the crash sparked a wildfire that had consumed more than 830 acres as of Labor Day. Lacey Township officers and local firefighters responded to reports of a smoke condition off of Dover Road and West Lacey Road, near Robert J. Miller Airpark shortly before midnight on Saturday. As authorities probed the smoke condition, they event…
$16K Raised After Family Killed In Ocean County Fire $16K Raised After Family Killed In Ocean County Fire
$16K Raised After Family Killed In Ocean County Fire More than $16,000 had been raised as of Thursday, Aug. 3 for those grieving the loss of four people including two children killed in a Lacey Township house fire this week. John Mulligan, an uncle of 14-year-old Angel Allan, one of those killed in the fire on Tuesday, Aug. 1, organized one GoFundMe for the family A second campaign was launched to aid Daniel Wright, the brother of two of the victims. Angel's mother, Melanie, and sister, Hailey, were running errands when the home caught fire, according to Mulligan of Berkeley Township. Also killed were Angel's aunts, Jennifer Wright, 39, and …
Police ID Teen, Infant, Adults Killed In Ocean County House Fire Police ID Teen, Infant, Adults Killed In Ocean County House Fire
Police ID Teen, Infant, Adults Killed In Ocean County House Fire Authorities have identified the victims of a house fire in Ocean County. Jennifer Wright, 39; Alaina Wright, 34; a 14-year-old girl and a 4-month-old infant were killed in the fire on Tuesday, Aug. 1 in Lacey Township, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. The fire was ruled accidental and may be due to smoking, Billhimer said. "This is an unspeakable tragedy, and our prayers are with the loved ones of these victims,” Billhimer said. At approximately 12:30 p.m., a structure fire with entrapment was reported on Buttonwood Drive in the Lanoka Harbor section of Lacey Tow…
Ocean County Mom Pleads Guilty In Fentanyl Death Of Her Toddler: Prosecutor Ocean County Mom Pleads Guilty In Fentanyl Death Of Her Toddler: Prosecutor
Ocean County Mom Pleads Guilty In Fentanyl Death Of Her Toddler: Prosecutor A 35-year-old woman from Ocean County has admitted to causing the fentanyl-induced death of her 2-year-old son, authorities said. Natalie Sabie, of Lacey Township, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and child endangerment on Wednesday, July 12, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. On Sept. 7, 2022, Lacey Township police were summoned to a residence for a report of a toddler  unresponsive by his mother, Natalie Sabie, Billhiimer said. Responding Officers and Paramedics at the scene attempted life saving measures but were unsuccessful&nbs…