Jersey Shore Headlines

How are the mosquitoes this season? That and more in today's Townsquare Media News for Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Jury selection is set to begin today in the trial of a man accused of causing a Parkway crash that killed an off-duty Ocean Gate police officer. Prosecutors say 34-year old Erick Uzcategui's blood alcohol level was almost twice the legal limit when he crashed into the vehicle driven by Jason Marles on Thanksgiving Day in 2010. Marles's jeep overturned and burst into flames. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Friends and family will gather in Seaside Park this week to remember Julia Madsen. Guy Madsen's mother disappeared 5 years ago. Julia Madsen has been missing since she went for a walk in Seaside Park and never returned, and her son says it's been hard to admit he may never know what happened.This week the family will hold a memorial ceremony near the spot where she was last seen.

According to drug experts, some youngsters start experimenting with alcohol in middle school, while others begin sniffing household cleaners, paint and glue to get high. In recent years, kids are increasingly using marijuana, synthetic pot knows as K2 and Spice, and Molly, all of which could lead to heroin use. Last year, there were more than 1,300 drug overdose deaths in our state.

A fire at Vic's restaurant in  Bradley Beach Sunday is believed to have started in the basement laundry room. Crews were able to put out the flames in about half an hour. No word on the extent of the damage.

A new housing development on Chambers Bridge Road means a new school for Brick. The Primary Learning Center will be reconfigured into an elementary school to be named in honor of former Brick High School Football Coach Warren Wolf. Kindergarten classes are set to start in September.

Mosquito trackers are concerned about our area's mosquito population getting out of hand this summer. Even though you might think the harsh winter helped keep the mosquito population down, the weather actually helped make them more hardy. if you have any standing water in a bucket that might be behind your shed, any tarp that might be holding water, or a kiddie pool that's not being used, dump out the water. Standing water means more mosquitoes.

Our state is recognized as one of the most progressive states in the nation, so you might think we'd rank as one of the best states for working moms. But that's not the case. A new study shows we're in the bottom half of states when it comes to professional opportunities for women. But we do get high marks for good schools and pediatric services.