SCUBA Flea Market Returns to Toms River

Ocean Wreck Divers sponsors their 23rd annual flea market this weekend

An annual tradition that attracts vendors from as far away as Oklahoma returns to Toms River next weekend. The Ocean Wreck Divers will be hosting their 23rd annual SCUBA Flea Market on Sunday, Feb. 20 at Toms River Intermediate North. Ocean Wreck Divers of New Jersey was organized in 1978 by Joan Follmer, and the purpose of the club has expanded over the years to include more than just diving. The group has adopted a dune in Ortley Beach, and lends its voice to ecological issues concerning the Jersey Shore. The majority of the booths at the market sell items that can typically be found at dive shops. Some are run by local shops selling new gear at discounted rates, while others are run by vendors who sell used gear. Additional vendors will…

• Photos (1)
• Documents (1)

Resident Charged With Afternoon Vehicle Burglary

Suspect allegedly searched for unlocked cars in K-Mart plaza

Police arrested a man who allegedly roamed the K-Mart shopping plaza looking for cars left unlocked, after a witness called police Wednesday afternoon. Anthony Serafino, 28, of Walchest Drive in Toms River was arrested 1 p.m. Wednesday on a burglary charge. Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said a witness contacted police after she saw a man attempting to open doors of vehicles parked in the K-Mart shopping plaza on Route 37 eastbound. Mastronardy said the suspect broke into one vehicle in the parking lot, and police arrived to investigate.  Toms River Police Officer Robert O’Neil made the arrest, and Serafino was placed in Ocean County Jail on $50,000 bail.  Teens arrested for possession of stolen iPods Two juveniles were …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Former Mayor Aldrich, 66, Dies

Mayor, Committeeman remembered as hard worker

Clarence E. "Bud" Aldrich III, 66, former mayor and committeeman, died of natural causes early Feb. 6. Aldrich was first elected in 1993, taking office in 1994 as a committeeman on the then-Dover Township Committee, which chose him as mayor in 1995, 1996 and 2002.  He resigned from the committee on June 12, 2002. Current and former Toms River officials recalled Aldrich fondly. “When I was running for Mayor, Bud told me always do what is best for the town,” said former mayor Paul Brush. “I respected Bud for that. I thank him for his service to Toms River.” J. Mark Mutter, township clerk and historian, served on the township committee with Aldrich from 1993 through 2001, and remembered his administrative prowess. “He was one of the hardest …

• Photos (1)

Goodbye Dover Mall

Farewell Dover Mall, Hello Progress

It was a mall like no other; soon to be turned into every other mall.

The small blue sign seems harmless enough; it’s even kind of inviting, encouraging all business owners interested in joining the “New Dover Mall” to call the number listed. And while the oddly configured grouping of retail space at the corner of Routes 166 and 37 that constituted the original Dover Mall has been half empty for the better part of two decades, I’m deeply concerned that the developers behind this sign are going to level everything and insert some pretentious “lifestyle center” with big name anchor stores that sell two hundred dollar sauce pans or other unnecessarily expensive nonsense to smarmy generation x-ers. It’s not that I’m against progress or retail. I guess I’m just hoping Toms River wouldn’t become the home of …

•  32 Comments
• Photos (2)

Crowds Lured to Fisherman's Flea Market

Annual event at Silverton Fire Company draws anglers.

Whether you are lured by lures, hooked on rods or caught up in nets, the annual Fishing Flea Market held at Silverton Fire Company each year draws all levels of fishermen hoping to find a good deal. With $2 admission and vendor tables at $20, the event is held, rain or shine, each year at the fire station, 15 Kettle Creek Road. The first Sunday in February vendors and customers fill the station looking to make a big catch. Check out our gallery of images from this year's event, held  8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 6.

• Photos (8)