Jersey Shore Headlines

A shark sighting and rip current rescues along the Jersey Shore in today's Monmouth and Ocean County news from Townsquare Media:

A shark was sighted off Monmouth Beach yesterday, according to an APP.com report. Lifeguards reported seeing the shark shortly after 2 pm and alerted Long Branch police that it was close to shore. But lifeguards in Long Branch didn't see it. At the time that it was sighted, the shark was chasing a school of fish heading South.

Rip currents were keeping lifeguards busy on almost every beach this weekend. Three men were dragged out to sea in Lavallette, according to a Townsquare News Network report. Swimmers had to be rescued in Sea Bright and Seaside as well.

You would think that if lifeguards just pulled you out of the ocean and saved your life you'd be grateful. But not one guy. In Seaside Heights, two men were pulled out to sea by a powerful rip current. Lifeguards managed to get both back to shore, but instead of saying thank you, one of the men belted the lifeguard in the mouth, according to Townsquare News Network. Police arrested him and charged him with assault and underage drinking.

Many people turned out on Saturday to mourn the passing of a Union Beach firefighter, according to an Associated Press report. Fifty-four-year old Robert Meyer died from a heart attack while fighting a four-alarm fire last Sunday. He was laid to rest yesterday on what would have been his 55th birthday.

A Lakewood man died in a crash on West County Line Road Saturday, according to The Lakewood Scoop. Police say the driver appeared to have been under the influence when he lost control of his vehicle around 2 a.m. at the Fernwood Avenue intersection and slammed into a tree.

A Jackson man is facing attempted murder charges after police say he stabbed two men in Seaside Heights last Saturday. Investigators believe Mark McCaffrey attacked the men when they tried to intervene in a domestic dispute. The victims, a 31-year old from Toms River and a 24-year old from Lacey, were both treated and released from a local hospital.

A stand-off in Asbury Park ended peacefully yesterday afternoon with an Asbury man surrendering to authorities about two hours later. Police say the man barricaded himself inside a Borden Avenue home and threatened to hurt himself with a knife. No one else was inside. He was taken to a hospital.

If you have outstanding tickets or other fines in Brick, better pay up.The township has contracted with a collections agency to help track down almost $650,000 in unpaid fines. The company will collect a fee from debtors of 22% of the amount owed on top of the actual payment.

Being a home owner is no longer the surefire investment it once was, according to a new study. Hart Research says attitudes are shifting towards renting and nearly half of homeowners say they could envision themselves renting in the future.

Starbucks is going to offer 135,000 of its part-time Baristas online college degrees. The employees will be able to choose from a number of educational programs through Arizona State University.

Heavy metal-based vehicles produced in the US will be aluminum-bodied by 2025, according to the Townsquare News Network. Over the next decade, more than 75% of all new pick-up trucks manufactured in North America will be made with lighter aluminum bodies. The advantages: aluminum is environmentally sound, provides better fuel efficiency and performance, and improves safety.

NJ-based Toys R Us says its first-quarter loss widened as it discounted toys to clear out inventory at its stores, according to an Associated Press Report. The toy store chain has discounted to clear out space for new holiday toys expected later this year. The privately held NJ company endured a harsh holiday season last Christmastime with no blockbuster toys, weak sales and competition from discount stores and online retailers like Amazon.