Volunteer divers from Divers Two in Avon-by-the-Sea came to Brick Wednesday to search the oceanfront area for debris left over from Superstorm Sandy. But hours into their search, nothing had been found. Dives will continue throughout the summer season all along the Jersey Shore as a precaution, officials said. Recently, volunteer divers affiliated with the Point Pleasant First Aid and Emergency Squad, serving Point Beach, Bay Head and Mantoloking, dove off the shore of Point Pleasant Beach and did not find any significant debris or problems.

More than six months after Superstorm Sandy caused unprecedented damage to the Jersey Shore region, the beaches will be open for Memorial Day Weekend and the summer. While certain access points and facilities might be closed as municipalities continue to work on restoration, for the most part, the beaches will be operational. The only beach that remains off limits to the public is Mantoloking. The borough was home to a breach that split Ocean County's northern barrier island in half and was one of the hardest hit communities in New Jersey during the storm. So as you prepare to stick your toes…

Gov. Chris Christie, local officials and thousands of residents were on hand Wednesday morning to christen Belmar's rebuilt boardwalk. The 1.3 mile-long boardwalk, which spans the length of the borough, was destroyed Oct. 29 during Superstorm Sandy. Mayor Matt Doherty said crews began working to rebuild it in January and remained on schedule so it could be reopened by Memorial Day weekend.

Gov. Chris Christie was in Lavallette Monday to help the borough celebrate the reconstruction of its boardwalk and promote tourism as Memorial Day Weekend nears.  Like many Jersey Shore towns, Lavallette's boardwalk was ravaged by Superstorm Sandy. The governor traveled to the borough to spread the word that New Jersey continues to recover.  "This is the first symbol, for us, of making sure this week that everybody across the state, across the region, and across America knows that the Jersey Shore is open for the summer and ready to receive our customers," Christie said in remarks there …

Toms River's program to demolish homes damaged by Superstorm Sandy is set to begin on Saturday morning in Ortley Beach, Mayor Thomas Kelaher announced. More than 100 homes are expected to be demolished through the township's Private Property Debris Removal Program. The removal of the homes will be reimbursed by FEMA, according to the township.  "Our residents are eager to start the rebuilding process," Kelaher said in a statement.  A $6,674,520 contract was awarded in March to Hudson Valley Environmental for the demolition.  Demolition Saturday will begin in Ortley Beach at a Seagull Lane …

Buyouts of properties in flood prone areas are expected to begin within a matter of weeks, beginning in Middlesex County and working south into the summer months as residents and their respective town officials make the difficult decision to abandon entire neighborhoods for good. Though buyout specifics have been limited, Bob Martin, commissioner of New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection, said between eight and 10 towns along the coast have inquired about participating in the State’s Blue Acres program, which purchases severe repetitive loss homes in flood areas and converts the …

Superstorm Sandy recovery in Toms River received some out of state help this week when an Ohio-based charity came to town with a trailer full of donations.  The People's Pantry, managed by the Toms River Regional Schools Special Education PTA, was established following Sandy to help families in need. On Thursday, a truckload of help came from Hope Always Lives On, or HALO Foundation, based in Akron, Ohio. "I'm overwhelmed," said Mayor Thomas Kelaher, who was on-hand for the delivery. "It's one more example of the great spirit of volunteerism in this country. It renews your faith in human …

A disaster recovery ombudsman aimed at helping Toms River residents navigate the rebuilding process following Superstorm Sandy will start work on Monday.  The position was created through an ordinance approved by the Township Council in February. The appointee will serve as the public's liaison to state, federal and local government agencies as rebuilding continues. Initially, the ombudsman will be stationed in town hall, but Council Vice President Maria Maruca said that he likely will work out of the township's barrier island satellite office at a later date.  "We might have opportunity for …

As needs have shifted so too has the conversation. Recovery remains underway in varying degrees following Hurricane Sandy's arrival on New Jersey's shores in late October. And while meeting immediate needs of storm survivors was a challenge at times, the direction was always clear: a return to some semblance of normalcy.  Long term recovery, however, is a concept still up for debate. The only thing that's clear now is just how unclear it really all is.  At Monmouth University Thursday night, a live panel comprised of experts and officials joined a second panel broadcast live from New York …

The mood has changed. A log from NJ Hope and Healing shows that people impacted by Hurricane Sandy have gone from feeling shocked, sad and tired with a loss of appetite to angry, hopeless and unable to make decisions. “People are having a natural reaction to abnormal circumstances,” said Carol Benevy, Project Lead for NJ Hope and Healing. NJ Hope and Healing is a project sponsored by the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Disaster and Terrorism Branch, through a FEMA grant. In partnership with Barnabas Health Institute for Prevention, NJ Hope and Healing offers …

After a successful December concert raised $15,000 to benefit Superstorm Sandy victims, two Toms River teens are hoping to double that amount during a Sunday fundraiser in Seaside Heights.  The "Pier Pressure" concert spearheaded by Sara Brilliant, a 14-year-old Toms River High School North freshman and 16-year-old Amanda Kacperowski, a junior at Monsignor Donovan, kicks off at 5 p.m. Sunday at Hemingway's Cafe, 612 Boulevard in Seaside Heights.  Scheduled to perform are the bands Before You Exit, Deleasa, Love in Motion, Reverse Order and Fountain Boulevard. Tickets are $25 for general …

Although New Jersey has the second-lowest suicide rate in the nation, a new hotline has received approximately 300 calls since it was launched May 1, according to Philly.com. New Jersey’s suicide rate for people ages 35 to 64 increased 31 percent from 1999 to 2010, and as a result the New Jersey Department of Human Services spent $648,981 to create NJHOPELINE, Philly.com reported. Officials have expressed concerns of the emotional impact the stress related to damage and losses from Hurricane Sandy has had and will continue to have, according to Philly.com. Operated by University Behavioral …

Adoption of the county budget was once again postponed, as the county recently became aware of possible funding that could boost its ratable base, which was drastically cut due to Superstorm Sandy. The Ocean County Freeholders approved a resolution at its regular meeting Wednesday allowing the county to apply for funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “Actually, it’s good news,” Freeholder Director John P. Kelly said. The funding would come from CDBG, separate from the grants the county receives annually through the program. The money is for communities whose …

A revision to an ordinance waiving height restriction for Superstorm Sandy-damaged homes was amended to apply the new rules to both new and existing structures.  In flood zones, property owners raising their homes now can be built up to 35 feet tall when measured from FEMA Base Flood Elevation, whether it is a new or existing structure. This will ensure that building heights among neighboring homes remain consistent, Township Engineer Robert Chankalian said after the Township Council approved the ordinance amendment Tuesday.  "You could end up with up-and-down, so we said 'let's treat …

An amendment aimed at halting federal flood insurance rate hikes for five years has been blocked in the U.S. Senate. The amendment, introduced by Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) was blocked from coming to a vote Tuesday by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.). Amendments in the U.S. Senate require what is known as "unanimous consent" before a vote can take place, meaning a single member can block a vote from occurring. Toomey told the New Orleans Times-Picayune Tuesday that he objected to changing reforms put in place last year because he supports the move to "diminish the subsidization that occurs now where …

JERSEY SHORE -- Britain's Prince Harry did what most people would do on a sunny, spring day in Seaside Heights—take in the ocean views, then play some boardwalk games. Harry came to Seaside Heights with Gov. Chris Christie Tuesday morning after the two toured destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy in Mantoloking. The pair drove south on Route 35 and entered the boardwalk at Grant Avenue where crowds of people were waiting for their arrival. "Prince Harry, we love you," shouted one small girl who was holding a welcome sign. Standing next to her was an Elvis Presley impersonator, hoping to …

The Seaside Heights roller coaster that was submerged in the Atlantic Ocean due to Superstorm Sandy will be removed this week, according to NBC 4 New York. The Jet Star coaster will be removed by demolition crews with contractor Weeks Marine following Prince Harry’s visit to Seaside Heights Tuesday, NBC 4 New York reported. Weeks Marine crews will be using both barges in the water and on-shore equipment to remove the rollercoaster, NBC 4 New York said. The removal will be completed within 48 hours. A portion of the Jet Star will be saved for a memorial on the new Casino Pier, which will be …

Toms River has been awarded more than $11 million in federal loan money to help stabilize a significant ratables base decrease caused by Superstorm Sandy's devastation.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency loans are among the first issued in the Community Disaster Loan Program and were made to the township itself and Toms River's Municipal Utility Authority and Fire District No. 1, according to Gov. Chris Christie's office.  "The Community Disaster Loan Program provides a vital source of assistance that will help our local governments maintain essential services," said Gov. Chris Christie…

The following column was submitted by New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Mary E. O'Dowd: As New Jerseyans continue to rebuild and recover from Superstorm Sandy, mold and its remediation have become a challenging issue for many residents and communities. It can cause property damage and be a health concern when it grows inside homes and is not properly dealt with. Exposure to mold can cause coughing or wheezing as well as irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and skin. To help homeowners ensure that their residences are cleaned and remediated properly, the New Jersey Department of …

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez threw Shore residents a virtual lifeline Thursday, delivering an address on the Senate floor where he urged colleagues to support an amendment to federal legislation that would stop flood insurance rate hikes, at least in the short term. Menendez (D-N.J.) spoke in favor of an amendment to the Water Resources Development Act which would stop flood insurance premiums from rising until FEMA completes its study on the affordability of premiums of the National Flood Insurance Program. Shore homeowners face annual flood insurance premiums of up to $31,000 a year if they do…