Jersey Shore Headlines

More Great White Sharks at the Jersey Shore. That story plus fireworks display updates for the July Fourth holiday in today's Monmouth and Ocean County News from Townsquare Media.

With summer in full swing, the Jersey Shore seems unfazed by recent great White Shark sightings. A study by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists finds that numbers of the Great White (like in the film "Jaws") are surging along the East Coast. In recent weeks, fishermen have encountered Great Whites off Cape May, LBI, and in New England.

The impending threat of rain is forcing changes in some Independence Day plans. Brick Township is postponing tomorrow's Summerfest concert and fireworks show until July 10th. In Monmouth County, Ocean Township is moving its fireworks display from tomorrow to Saturday. CLICK HERE for a complete list of fireworks displays and rain dates.

Fireworks-related injuries send, on average, 200 people to the Emergency Room every day during the month of July. Unsuccessful lighting attempts typically cause the worst injuries.

More than 100 NJ National Guard Troops returned home yesterday from Afghanistan. The 150th Engineer Company was greeted by family and officials during ceremonies yesterday. The unit is comprised of citizen soldiers from 19 of our state's 21 counties.

The lawyer for a Manchester man accused driving drunk on Thanksgiving morning 2010, killing Ocean Gate Police Officer Jason Marles, claims his client was the designated driver and was sober. Erick Uzcategui is on trial for vehicular manslaughter.

A police raid of a Neptune home on Asbury Avenue ends with more than a dozen people being arrested for allegedly having crack cocaine, pot and hypodermic needles. Nine of those charged are from Monmouth County and four are from Ocean County.

A Toms River 51-year old faces charges for allegedly taking $3,000 for advertising services never performed, and refunding the client with a worthless check. Richard Ciullo of Just Results LLC was apprehended yesterday but Ocean County investigators seek others who think they've been victimized.

Asbury Park's police chief Mark Kinmon plans on calling it quits effective September first, a year after rescinding his original retirement plans. The city hasn't decided on how it will go about replacing the 24-year veteran. His last day would be September first.

An update on Lakewood's Courtesy Busing debacle. The state-appointed monitor has overruled the school board for a second time, preventing it from removing the district's transportation coordinator and business administrator. Public and private school leaders must decide today on any changes to the busing program.

A national fisheries agency approves a plan to do seismic testing off the Jersey Coast despite fears it could harm marine life and disrupt the fishing industry. The plan still needs approval from the National Science Foundation.

Efforts to keep Barnegat Bay clean are getting a boost with the expansion of Ocean County's pump-out program. The county recently unveiled "The Bay Defender", a new 23-foot boat with a 420-gallon holding tank, specially equipped for emptying the toilets and tanks of other boats. Two boats in Brick, two in Seaside Park and two in Tuckerton will keep the entire Barnegat Bay covered. The free pump-out service has prevented more than a million gallons of waste water from being dumped in the bay.

At the Glimmer Glass bridge between Manasquan and Brielle tomorrow, Monmouth County road crews plan some routine maintenance and will close it to traffic between 9 am and 2 pm. Boat traffic will not be affected.

The world's tallest and fastest drop ride is getting ready to open. They have been testing Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom at Six Flags Great Adventure where riders will be hoisted 415 feet in the air and dropped back to the ground at 90 mph. Adding to the thrill: the Kingda Ka roller coaster will hurl right at you at speeds of up to 128 mph while you are dropping from 41-stories up. Eight riders at a time get the chance for this thrill, open to the general public on Friday, July Fourth.