Toms River High School North students were recently honored by Congressman Jon Runyan for their achievement in art.  The 2013 Congressional Art Competition Best in Show winner, Carli Grace of Toms River, will have her work entitled "A Walk in My Shoes" displayed in the tunnel leading to the U.S. Capital Building in Washington D.C. for one year "This year’s Art Competition entries were truly amazing," Runyan said in a statement. "I was very impressed with the talent from all of the students. I can only imagine how difficult the decision was for the judge. I am looking forward to hosting Carli …

Toms River educators honored one of their own Tuesday night, as Intermediate South paraprofessional Annette Ruch was recognized for receiving county and state recognitions for her dedication to education. Ruch, who has worked as a paraprofessional for 18 years, was recently chosen as both the Ocean County and New Jersey Educational Support Professional of the year. Toms River's Board of Education honored her for the distinctions. "That is a huge accomplishment," said Superintendent of Schools Frank Roselli, who has known Ruch during her entire tenure in Toms River. "Annette, this is your …

Students of all ages recently were honored by Toms River's Board of Education for their achievements in the arts.  Each of the 56 students, representing a variety of the district's grade levels from elementary through high school, received a certificate for their accomplishments. Students were recognized by educators for their musical, artistic and writing ability during a board meeting last week. Below is a breakdown of award recipients. Their names are available in a PDF file attached to this article.  South Jersey Band and Orchestra Directors Association Honors Band 2012-13 Anthony Vivolo…

Getting children safely across Vaughn Avenue was her job. But once on their way, crossing guard Marge Reynolds kept an eye on those kids for as far as she could to ensure they made it home safe. "Maybe that's something you didn't realize. She was still watching you," special education teacher Maggie Tice said of East Dover Elementary School's longtime crossing guard as she prepared to say goodbye and enter retirement on Thursday. Reynolds has been a crossing guard for 28 years and came to the school in 2002. There, she controlled traffic and helped students cross Vaughn as they walked to and …

The following is a reproduction of the 2013 installation ceremony program for the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company: Hurricane Sandy delivered a devastating blow to New Jersey but particularly to our community. Toms River Township is New Jersey’s 8th largest community of 43 square miles and over 90,000 people with 25 percent of the towns’ 40,000 residential units being damaged and many were totally destroyed. While the barrier islands were a concern no one could ever imagine the damage that occurred on the mainland along the Barnegat bay Silver Bay, Kettle Creek, Goose Creek and the Toms River…

From Saint Barbara's Church: "The members of the Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church would like to help their Ocean County neighbors who have been affected in so many ways by the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. On November 20, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, delicious, FREE home-cooked turkey dinners - with all the trimmings - will be served to anyone. Homeowners still without electric, children, EMS workers, police, firefighters, Evacuation Center residents, volunteers and anyone from everywhere and anywhere are welcome to come to our "house" for some comfort and nourishment. Just come and let your…

A collection of videos on the volunteerism that abounds throughout Toms River after Hurricane Sandy. Whether rescuing a life, sharing a warm blanket or delivering hot meals, countless local effots continue to help residents in Toms River.

From Jeremy Stephens, Pastor of Families and Youth at First Baptist Church: Starting Nov. 3, hot meals will be distributed from First Baptist Church on Main Street in Toms River.   The North Carolina Baptist Convention Disaster Relief team is housed at First Baptist Church of Toms River, 700 Main Street. Beginning at 11 a.m. they'll be serving free hot meals at lunch and dinner. It's a drive through, pick up your meals, and be on your way service. Signs will be posted for entrance on Main Street and exit on Colfax Street. Meals are distributed from 11am-1pm and again from 4pm-6pm.  People …

The Toms River Youth Center located at 1505 North Bay Avenue will provide activities for children evacuated and children of emergency responders from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday Nov. 2. For Saturday and Sunday the hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Youth Center will have arts and crafts, Wii, Playstation, Pool Tables, movies, popcorn, ping pong, playground, etc. Transportation will be provided from each shelter. Please call (732) 341-1000 ext. 8436 to arrange pickup. Further information will provided for next week hours shortly.

Glenn Morehouse, 52, of Yellowbank Road in Toms River, flew 25 feet off his Harley Davidson after a car accidentally collided with his motorcycle on Fischer Boulevard Sept. 8. Suffering from injuries and facing mounting bills, a man who friends described as someone who "would help anyone in anyway he could" now finds himself surrounded by friends and strangers hoping to help him in his time of need. Saturday, Oct. 27, JR's Bar in Seaside Heights will host a benefit for Morehouse. One of the event organizers, Marissa Sparno, said the event will include bikers celebrating Morehouse's love of …

Silverton Fire Company announced the winners from their Fall Festival Children's Coloring Contest, as well as the poker run winners and raffle winner. Among the prizes for the best coloring is a fire truck ride to school. Here are the winners: Winners of the Coloring Contest Kindergarten- Mia Martinez Mrs. Maguire1st grade- Theresa Maturo Mrs. Magno2nd grade- Gia Carlucci Mrs. Chapman3rd grade - Sabrina Chunn Mrs. Klock4th grade- Sarah Pasqualetto Mrs. Hauenstein5th grade- Bridget Hirtes -Mrs. ViscoGRAND PRIZE WINNER: HERMAN MATA — 2nd Grade Mrs. Chapman — wins a fire truck ride to school. …

Several local seniors will receive accolades from the Annual New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Contest next week. The Award Reception for the Annual New Jersey Senior Citizens Art Contest will be held on Friday, October 26 at 10:30 a.m. at Meadow Lakes in East Windsor.  Eight Ocean County residents will be honored at the closing award reception. Non-Professional Division: Lidia Brodetsky (Toms River) took 1st Place in Oil, and for the second year in a row, she took home Best in Show (Non-Pro) – this year for On the Cusp of Adulthood.  In 2011, Brodetsky took Best in Show for Always a Lady.  Born…

Toms River teen Adrian Lekperic was honored for his recent Eagle Scout accomplishment, with a special proclamation at the township council meeting. Lekperic worked to build picnic tables and other improvements at the Veterans of Foreign Wars facility, as a service project is one of the requirements of earning the highest honor the Boy Scouts of America gives. The mayoral proclamation honoring Lekperic's accomplishment and his service to the community was awarded Tuesday at the Toms River Council meeting in town hall.

Four dedicated and heroic members of Toms River Township’s community service officer division were honored for their bravery and lifesaving skills by the township council. “Some time ago, the township created an emergency service organization which we denominate as the ‘Community Service Officers’, as a backup service for our six first aid squads throughout the township,” said Mayor Thomas Kelaher. “These are full-time employees who are trained and certified, and tonight, we’re going to recognize four of these community service officers for their lifesaving efforts here in town.” At that time…

The 2012 Shootout Showcase found professional and college scouts taking a look at 18U teams from Toms River and surrounding states this weekend. Toms River East Little League hosted the three-day event at its facility, Windsor Avenue and at high school East. Participating teams were: Toms River Black Sox, Farrah Builders scout team, North Jersey Cardinals, Long Island Tigers, Richmond County Baseball Club, Delaware Valley Stars and more.

It hasn’t been the easiest trip she’s ever made, but for Margo Pellegrino, it’s one of the most important. “This is about my home turf,” she said, gesturing to the map of the New Jersey-New York shoreline and a stretch of the Atlantic Ocean labeled “Clean Ocean Zone.” It’s a portion of the ocean that Clean Ocean Action, the New Jersey-based grass roots environmental group, has been fighting for years to keep free of pollution and uses that it contends would be damaging to the environment. Now, the organization is trying to convince federal lawmakers to take the steps necessary to forever …

Board members of the Friends of the Ocean County Child Advocacy Center accepted a donation in the amount of $10,000 from the Investors Bank Foundation. These funds will be used to purchase equipment and supplies needed to equip a new medical examination room at the Ocean County Child Advocacy Center, located at 7 Hadley Avenue in Toms River. An on premises examination room will allow the option for forensic medical exams to be conducted of victims of sexual assault, in a child friendly and non-threatening environment. The center collects and preserves medical evidence, including specimens, …

The District 18 Little League is seeing some local victory for the 11-year-old team out of Toms River East. Toms River East American won the District 18 Championship Wednesday and heading into this evening is 2-0 in the sectionals. Here's an update from Coach Denny Munson: "The Toms River East American 11-year-old team won the District 18 Championship Wednesday night. They are now 2-0 in the sectional tournament and resume play tonight in Spring Lake. This is a team who lost its star pitcher due to the league border controversy...and also had two players go on vacation...yet persevere. Truly …

"They passed the mall!" came a chain of shouts from the start of the line, which snaked from Vincent Drive and a block around the corner to Silver Bay Road. The crowd comprised of officials, adults and small children alike passed the message along and craned their necks, and waited, listening for the blare of sirens. Minutes later, more than 150 Toms River residents, friends and supporters of Marine Sgt. William P. Carolan began to clap, wave, cheer. The moment was about to begin. It was time to surprise Carolan, who thought he was getting a simple ride home after serving two deployments in …

Bowling report as submitted by Walter McKnight: Norcia's Proshop XIII broke the 3 man series record in Ocean County averaging over 260 for the 3 games. They struck 83 times out of a possible 108 on July 10. Ken MacWhinney, 31 of Neptune, NJ was lead off on the team rolling games of 201-257-251 for a 709 set. Alex Marx 19, of Manchester, NJ was second rolling games of 278-289-255 for his first career 800...822 Walter McKnight, 28 of Brick, NJ was the anchor bowler shooting 268-279-268 for his 16th career 800..815 There total combined scores for the 9 games were 2346, an impressive 260.6 team …