Westbound Lanes of Route 88 Bridge Closed Part of Tues. and Wed.

Traffic is shifted into eastbound lanes

Both westbound lanes of the Route 88 bridge in Point Borough are closed today until 3 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, according to the state Department of Transportation (DOT). The traffic will be shifted into the eastbound lanes allowing one lane of traffic in each direction. This work will be coordinated with the ongoing work at this structure by the Army Corps of Engineers, says the DOT. Editor's Note: Patch was not informed of this until this morning and is posting this story shortly after getting the information. Information will be updated if any further information is announced.

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Hurricane Sandy

Despite Gov's Assurance, Thousands Still in the Dark

Christie said all power in NJ would be restored by now

  Despite assurances by Gov. Christie that the entire state would have power again by yesterday, there are thousands still in the dark in New Jersey, including 601 in just Monmouth and Ocean counties, according to the JCP&L outage map. As of 3:15 p.m. Monday, there are 441 outages in Monmouth and 160 in Ocean and about 3,100 outages among JCP&L customers in the 13 counties it serves, the map shows. In Morris County alone there are 739 JCP&L customers reporting outages. PSE&G has 278 outages on Monday afternoon, including 19 outages caused by Sandy and 259 caused by the nor'easter. Atlantic Electric has restored power to all customers who can safely be restored, said Frank Tedesco, company spokesman. He said there are 2,000 to 2,500 …

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Hurricane Sandy

JCP&L Readies for Sandy

Utility cautions that using generators can be dangerous

JCP&L is getting ready for Hurricane Sandy, with extra staff on standby and a lot of lessons learned. JCP&L clearly has not forgotten the criticism it took after Tropical Storm Irene ravaged New Jersey in August 2011. Utility officials learned from it, made a wide array of improvements in technology, communications and planning and they're ready to put that to the test, said JCP&L spokesman Ron Morano. "We've made improvements to how we provide customer information," Morano said, adding the company is doing all it can to prepare for Sandy and to plan on how to keep officials and residents informed and well-served. For starters, JCP&L is doing what everyone else is doing: closely watching weather forecasts, trying to figure out when and …

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Man Found Guilty of Killing Point Boro Woman

Jury finds man guilty of killing Kyleigh Sousa in Arizona

A jury in Arizona found a man guilty of first degree murder and robbery in the killing of a Point Borough woman who was attending college in Arizona, according to Fox News in Phoenix, AZ. Jose Luis Marquez, 22, was found guilty of first degree murder and robbery Monday morning in the slaying of Kyleigh Sousa, a Point Borough high school graduate who was attending Arizona State University (ASU). "A lot of tears were flowing when the family of the victim, 21-year-old Kyleigh Sousa, heard the guilty verdicts in court," reported Fox News. "Sousa's mother was seen in the front row, holding an ASU Sun Devil shirt on her lap." Karen Montenegro, Kyleigh's mother, has been in Arizona for the trial. Fox is reporting: "Marquez was accused of trying …

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Horseshoe Crab Set for Sinking on Thursday

Launch of giant crab to reef was delayed from last month

A 47-foot-long hoseshoe crab replica slated to become part of an inshore artificial reef is scheduled to be sunk off northern Ocean County on Thursday morning. After months spent planning and building his creation, sculptor Chris Wojcik’s ultimate plan – to put the crab on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean – was postponed due to weather last month. It was supposed to have been placed at the Axel Carlson reef – located about 2.5 miles off Bay Head and Mantoloking – July 25. On Monday, the state Division of Fish and Wildlife's Bureau of Marine Fisheries, which oversees the state's artificial reef system and the deployment of materials and structures onto its 15 sites, said Thursday has been chosen as the new deployment date. According to …

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Police, Firefighters Raise More Than $1,000 for Point Boro Girl

Allie Ciancia, 10, suffers from rare kidney disease

Thanks to a bunch of local police officers and firefighters, a Point Borough family with an ill child has a lot more help and hope than they had before. A charity softball game played by the Point Pleasant Policemen's Benevolent Association and the Point Beach volunteer firefighters raised $1,145 for Allie Ciancia, who is suffering from a rare kidney disease. Ruthi Grabowski, Allie's grandmother, said she and the family greatly appreciate the efforts of the police, firefighters and all the residents who attended and donated. "Last night was perfect," said Grabowski, a Toms River resident, on Monday night. The game was played Sunday night at the Lakewood Blue Claws stadium in Lakewood, following a Blue Claws game. Allie, 10, lives with her …

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Blue Claws and Point Police-Firefighter Games Held Last Night to Help Local Girl

Fundraiser for Point Borough girl with kidney disease at Blue Claws Stadium were held Sunday night

The Lakewood Blue Claws and Point Pleasant Borough police vs. Point Pleasant Beach firefighters had a fundraiser softball game Sunday night to help a Point Borough girl in the fight of her life. A Blue Claws game, followed by a separate, fundraiser softball game, "Badges for Charity," were played at the Lakewood Blue Claws stadium to help a Point Pleasant Borough girl suffering from a rare kidney disease. The Point Pleasant Policemen's Benevolent Association (PBA) played the volunteer Point Pleasant Beach Fire Department to help raise money for Allie Ciancia, 10,  who suffers from a rare kidney disease called FSGS (Focal Segmental Glomulerosclerosis), according to Ruthi Blaum Grabowski, her grandmother. "Allie will eventually need a kidney…

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Point Borough Beats Toms River North 48-43; Boro Point Guard Shatters School Record

Shaun Cooke breaks all-time school record for points scored and leads Panthers to a showdown with Shore power Neptune

With his team clinging to a three-point lead and six seconds left on the clock, Point Borough Head Coach Kevin Hynes made it a point during a timeout to reiterate to his team who he preferred to be at the free throw line to send his team to the Shore Conference Round of 16. “We drew it up to make sure the ball was going to be in Shaun’s hands,” said Hynes, referring to Shaun Cooke. “If we weren’t able to get to him to him first, we would’ve burned that last timeout, but give our credit to our guys, they found a way to get it to him.” Cooke delivered, knocking down two foul shots which sealed the deal on a 48-43 victory over Toms River North in the Opening Round of the Shore Conference Tournament in Toms River. It was a special evening for …

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