Jersey Shore Headlines

An overwhelming number of waitresses say they have been harassed by customers. That story and more in today's Monmouth and Ocean County News from Townsquare Media.

Monmouth University is out with its latest survey tracking how New Jerseyans feel about the quality of life in our state. The ratings are not good. They dipped for local schools, hometowns, and the environment. But the biggest drop came when residents were asked about safety. The percentage of people who feel safe in their own neighborhood at night has fallen 8 points since April. But despite the poor ratings, six in ten still call our state an excellent or good place to live.

Harassment is a pervasive issue in the dining industry, according to a new survey. It finds 90% of women say they have been harassed on the job. The Restaurant Opportunity Center says there's a power imbalance between servers and customers, especially when employees are counting on each tip for their paycheck, so servers are more likely to put up with abuse.

While most of us were sleeping, a 30-minute tornado warning was issued for parts of Ocean County until 2 am. Weather officials say severe thunderstorms that moved through the area were capable of producing a tornado in Beach Haven, Tuckerton, and Surf City.

A Georgia man who was living in Long Island gets more than a decade in federal prison for crossing state lines into Monmouth County to have sex with a 9-year old child and her underage babysitter. 23-year old Richard Simone learned his fate Monday after confessing to arranging the tryst with a man he believed was the child's father last year but was instead a homeland security department special agent.

Several schools in Holmdel and Aberdeen went into brief lockdown yesterday morning following a report that a man in camouflage with a shotgun was walking toward St. John Vianney High School, according to reports. Police say all schools went back into operation after a check of the area found nothing. They're checking into whether a hunter was in the area.

Manchester police are seeking your help in locating a missing teen. 17-year old Jordan Quigley was reported missing after she failed to show up for school Monday, packed a suitcase, and left her parents a note. She was last spotted in Poughkeepsie, NY.

One pedestrian was killed and another critically injured in two separate incidents in Toms River last night. Police say a male was fatally struck by a Camaro while crossing Indian Head Road and Green Drive around 7:30. Twenty minutes later, another male was struck at Rt. 37 and Coolidge Avenue. Both accidents are under investigation.

New developments in the Toms River youth football fiasco. A player's father who is charged with attacking the head coach Sunday night, has filed a counter charge of assault against Drew Hildick, according to court documents. Joseph Oleske claims he tried to talk to the coach for allegedly cursing and screaming at the kids for losing the game, and acted in self defense when Hildick came forward at him.

A retired police officer is facing fraud charges, accused of claiming a hurricane-damaged home in Highlands was his primary residence, when, according to prosecutors, it was actually a second home that was vacant during Irene and Sandy. 59-year old Martin Kiely received nearly $23,000 in grants. He made the claim twice -- after both Irene and Sandy. He now faces up to 10 years in prison.

A 70-year old Manalapan woman is accused of shoplifting $767-worth of clothing from the mall at Short Hills. Police arrested Arlene Sonnenblick last week for allegedly stuffing three blouses from Neiman Marcus in her purse.

The Monmouth County Sheriff's Office is celebrating a milestone. The agency has taught 40,000 first graders how to handle emergencies since starting its "Seek 911" program 14 years ago.

Jackson Township will be showing its appreciation for veterans and service members this coming Saturday. The 7th annual Wounded Warrior event begins with a parade from the township Justice Complex to the Central Jersey Rifle and Pistol Club, which will host a full day of fun for the veterans and their guests. Veterans will be assembling at the Justice Complex on Jackson Drive at 9 am. Spectators are asked to position themselves along West Veterans Highway in a show of appreciation. The event began seven years ago and has since morphed into a motorcade of honor where crowds line the route with flags, cheering for the vets as they pass by.

Sesame Street is teaming up with our state's largest utility to help families prepare for natural disasters or major emergencies. The PSE&G Foundation has committed $1.3 million to launch two bilingual programs with the producers of Sesame Street, instituting emergency preparedness into families routines.