The ocean temperature has gotten COLDER, and more in today's Townsquare Media News for Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Another great beach weekend is headed our way, but water temperatures have plummeted. Upwelling has brought cold water from deep in the ocean closer to shore, and ocean temperatures are now in the 50's!

Work is beginning today on a sea wall for two shore towns that were devastated by Superstorm Sandy. The first portion of steel is due to be installed along the beach in Mantoloking today. That's the spot where Sandy caused the ocean to slash a path to the bay. Eventually 4 miles of steel sheet pilings will be placed along beaches in Mantoloking and Brick to safeguard Rt. 35 and nearby homes and businesses. The project has faced opposition from some environmentalists who fear it could worsen erosion and storm damage in neighboring towns. Some oceanfront homeowners didn't want to let the government use a narrow strip of their sand for the project.

A Colts Neck 17-year old accused of stabbing a township woman in her home and stealing her car last July is free while awaiting trial as an adult for attempted murder. Brennan Doyle was released Sunday after a $760,000 bond was posted on his behalf.

There are more than 130 abandoned homes in Jackson, mainly due to the economic downturn. The Township Council wants to make sure the property owners are held accountable. A measure would force homeowners to register vacant property or face fines and even jail time.

A Highlands woman faces 10 counts of animal cruelty for the fatal neglect of 5 exotic birds. A Monmouth County SPCA official says test results on the animals discovered June 27th determined that the African Grey parrots died from a lack of food and water in Beth Devereaux's Huddy Avenue home.

A Great Adventure entertainer has been fired and arrested this week for secretly taking video of female colleagues as they changed in a private trailer. This had been going on for months until someone finally figured out 25-year old Leonard Vasile had hidden a camera and computer in the girls' trailer.

The 200 Club of Monmouth County has donated $5,000 to the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit. The money is for the purchase of a new Narcotics Detection Dog after the unit lost a 7-year old crime fighter named Evan to cancer.

You may notice extra police presence in Wall Township today as state transportation and emergency management officials conduct an evacuation exercise. Officials say no roads will be closed but you may notice police activity on 195 in Wall. The exercise will focus on contra flow or reversing traffic for evacuation during hurricanes.

Nearly two-thirds of kids aged 12 - 15 go beyond the recommended 2-hour limit per day for TV and computer usage, according to a new report from the National Center for Health Statistics, which says this can act as a reminder to parents to monitor their kids' screen time. Other reports link excessive screen time to obesity and elevated blood pressure.

If you drive over the Glimmer Glass Bridge between Manasquan and Brielle, start planning for detours next week. Weather permitting, repairs close it down between 8 am and 5 pm starting Monday and lasting as long as five days.

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