DUI Lawyers in Barnegat, NJ

BARNEGAT, NJ — Shoppers who love a bargain will be pleased, as discount retailer Ocean State Job Lot is officially open in Barnegat.

The store, replacing Big Lots at 580 North Main St., held its grand opening and ribbon cutting this past Saturday, May 17. The 29,797 sq. ft. space is Ocean State Job Lots' eighth New Jersey store and first in Ocean County.

Ocean State Job Lot executives joined Deputy Mayor Albert Bille and other local officials for a celebration that highlighted the company’s continued investment in revitalizing well-known retail sites and expanding job opportunities in the region.

As part of the company’s ongoing commitment to the communities it serves, the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation donated “Operation Sleep Well Kits” to the veterans transitional home at Vetwork and $500 to the Popcorn Park Animal Refuge. Additionally, a 30 percent discount valid on May 17 and May 18 was extended to firefighters and the EPA of the communities affected by the recent wildfires.

Additionally, customers enjoyed photos with Bluey, complimentary glitter tattoos, complimentary donuts and beverages, and a live broadcast from Thunder 106. All attendees had the chance to win one of three $150 Ocean State Job Lot gift cards.

Find out what's happening in Barnegat-Manahawkinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

“We’re thrilled to introduce Ocean County to our unique brand of shopping,” said Kevin Tammone, Store Team Leader, Ocean State Job Lot. “We’ve worked hard to create a bright, friendly, and convenient shopping experience for residents and visitors alike, and we’re grateful to be part of this community.”

Ocean State Job Lot, based in Rhode Island, offers a variety of merchandise including household goods, pet supplies, apparel, seasonal items and kitchen pantry staples at closeout prices.

May 8 marks the start of two-way traffic on part of Long Beach Boulevard, and the addition of new lanes on Route 72:

SHIP BOTTOM, NJ — As of May 8, Long Beach Boulevard has opened to two-way traffic between 8th Street and 9th Street, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) said in a release. Additionally, Route 72 at Marsha Drive in Stafford has returned to its final configuration. Next week, Central Avenue will open to two-way traffic as well.

This is part of the Route 72 Manahawkin Bay Bridges project, which is nearing completion, according to the NJDOT.

Long Beach Boulevard

The new traffic signal at the intersection of Long Beach Boulevard and 8th Street is scheduled to be fully operational after 8 a.m. May 8, allowing two-way traffic on Long Beach Boulevard between 8th Street and 9th Street. Currently, Long Beach Boulevard is one way going northbound between 8th Street and 9th Street. The new intersection will have the following configuration:

Long Beach Boulevard northbound will have three lanes:

Find out what's happening in Barnegat-Manahawkinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Long Beach Boulevard southbound will have three lanes:

Route 72 at Marsha Drive

In addition, signal work will be taking place during the day May 8 on Route 72 near the Marsha Drive intersection in Stafford. By the end of the day, Route 72 will be shifted into its final configuration with the new auxiliary lanes opened, in addition to the two through lanes in each direction. Marsha Drive is expected to reopen in the next week or two.

Central Avenue

Beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday, May 13 Central Avenue is scheduled to be closed for signal work and restriping. Currently, Central Avenue is one-way southbound between 3rd Street and 11th Street and northbound traffic must turn right onto 11th Street. Once the striping is complete and the new traffic signal at 8th Street and Central Avenue is activated, Central Avenue will be opened to two-way traffic, which is expected to be complete by the end of the day, Tuesday.

Final paving in both Stafford and Ship Bottom is expected to be done overnight in June. NJDOT will provide advanced notification before any roadway changes are made.

The governor's office declared a state of emergency in response to the Jones Road Wildfire, which has burned 12,000 acres in South Jersey.

Updated Wed, Apr 23, 2025 at 1:51 pm ET

LACEY, NJ — Acting New Jersey Gov. Tahesha Way on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in New Jersey in response to the Jones Road Wildfire, which had burned through 12,000 acres in Ocean County by Wednesday afternoon.

A news release from the governor's office said the state of emergency went into effect at 7 a.m. Wednesday. Declaring a state of emergency helps the state allocate resources to battle the blaze.

RELATED: 11,500-Acre Wildfire Still Burning In South Jersey

“Due to (the fire's) accelerated growth... I am declaring a State of Emergency for Ocean County,” Way said in a statement. “I encourage all residents in the county to continue to monitor the proper channels and to use caution and follow all safety protocols.”

The Jones Road Wildfire started around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area near Lacey, Ocean and Barnegat Townships in Ocean County.

Find out what's happening in Barnegat-Manahawkinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The fire grew swiftly throughout the day, consuming 12,000 acres by Wednesday morning. As of 1 p.m., the fire was 35 percent contained, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service.

RELATED: Pictures, Videos Depict Damage As NJ Wildfire Rages

The fire prompted approximately 3,000 evacuations and multiple road closures. But as of Wednesday morning, both the Garden State Parkway and Route 9 had reopened in both directions, and evacuation orders were lifted.

An estimated 23,000 JCP&L customers also lost power Tuesday as the company cut power lines in and out of their Oyster Creek substation.

"Safety is our top priority and all restoration timing will be determined by the safety of firefighters, our crews and the public," JCP&L said. "We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time."

A major wildfire is burning at this hour in a portion of Barnegat Township (Ocean County) and it is having ripple effects throughout New Jersey.

As of 4:00 p.m. the fire is still growing, and now evacuations have been ordered in a portion of the area.

More bad news? Garden State Parkway has been closed in both directions between exits 63 and 80, as of 5:00 p.m. Route 9 in Barnegat and Waretown is also closed in both directions.

The fire in the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area of Barnegat Township was first reported around 12:22 p.m. on Tuesday. It has continued to grow since that time.

It’s been named the Jones Road Wildfire.

Here's new footage of the fire from NBC Philadelphia:

As of this hour it was reported to be at least 150 acres, according to the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. It was 0% contained, but fire crews are said to be working on containment lines for the fire.

It was previously estimated that 12 structures were threatened by the fire.

Now mandatory evacuations have been ordered in the area.

“Mandatory evacuations are underway on Wells Mills Road from Bryant Road to the Garden State Parkway in Ocean Twp., Ocean County,” the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said in an update around 3:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, residents from throughout Ocean and Burlington County have been reporting that they’ve seen the smoke and ash billowing into the air.

In fact, here are a few of those photos on social media:

Fire officials will hold a press conference around 5 p.m. to provide any additional updates.

A helicopter capable of dropping 300 gallons of water onto the fire has joined the firefight as well, officials say.

94.5 PST and Townsquare Media’s Chief Meteorologist Dan Zarrow tells us that winds in the area are blowing out of the west, guesting to 20 mph.

“So if you smell smoke in Ocean County, that's what it is,” Dan wrote in an update on social media.

It's here! The ultimate 2025 summer guide of Jersey's biggest artists coming to NJ

A complete list of artists you hear every weekend on New Jersey 101.5 that are touring the Garden State in 2025. Locations include venues in New Jersey, New York City, and Philadelphia.

A newly formed committee will take a look at the district's special education program as personnel changes are being made.

BARNEGAT, NJ — The Barnegat Township School District is promising to do better following allegations that an 8-year-old autistic girl was bound with tape while in the special education program.

At a special meeting earlier this week, the Board of Education voted to move Russell O. Brackman Middle School Vice Principal John Fiorentino to Interim Director of Special Education. Dan Gundersen, the former director, was previously reassigned to assistant principal.

READ MORE: 5 Fired After Autistic Girl Allegedly Bound With Tape In Barnegat

"It's a process I think we're going through as a board, as an administration, to ensure something like this never happens again in our district," Board President Scott Sarno said. He said he was creating an ad hoc committee specifically to work with the special education and ACES program to review everything from hiring to district procedures.

"There's many things that we're looking to go through with a fine toothed comb," Sarno said.

Find out what's happening in Barnegat-Manahawkinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Members of the community feared that wouldn't be enough. A parent and former employee of the district presented the board with a petition to terminate Gundersen's employment, which as of Thursday afternoon has just more than 400 signatures.

"The best than an educator can give is to get somebody to be self-reflective," Jill Sidote said. "I think you are being self-reflective, but a little bit too late for that."

Sidote said that demoting Gundersen wasn't enough, and that he needed to be fired for the best interests of the district and its students.

"Hopefully, all of you are in those seats because one of your goals was putting the children first," Sidote said. "It's time to live up to that goal."