Jersey Shore Headlines

Do firefighters in NJ get paid enough? This story and more in today's Monmouth and Ocean County News from Townsquare Media.

NJ firefighters are the highest paid in the nation. New figures show the average salary for paid firefighters is $95,000 a year, with a drop in the number of volunteer departments.

A 10-month old boy suffered serious internal head injuries allegedly at the hands of his 25-year old mother. Nicole Cudd of Asbury Park is charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of her child.

A Colts Neck 21-year old is on home detention while awaiting court action for allegedly trading sexually explicit online images with a 12-year old Pennsylvania girl. Chad Weber could get 5 years in prison if he's convicted of receiving child pornography.

A Port Monmouth couple arrested on drug and weapons charges also face child endangerment charges after police say their 2-year old daughter was found sleeping on 100 bags of heroin with knives and hypodermic needles within reach. Jenna and William Connett allegedly sold $10,000 a week in drugs. They are now in the Monmouth County Jail. The 2-year old is with a grandmother.

A Lakewood woman faces prostitution and drug charges after being arrested at a Wall Township hotel yesterday. 28-year old Tiffany Watkins is in the Monmouth County Jail on $9,000 bail and has an active warrant in Long Branch.

Authorities have accused a Matawan man of selling the rights to more than 2 dozen season tickets for the football Giants and not delivering. Prosecutors in Monmouth County have charged 47-year old John Gorman with theft by deception. Investigators say he stole more than $75,000 between November 2008 and July 2010 by fraudulently representing that he had personal seat licenses for sale - the one-time fee providing license for the purchase of season tickets. Prosecutors also say Gorman misrepresented himself as the ticketing manager for the football team. He would face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

There's been an increase in pet-related diseases according to a recent report, but you can take steps to protect your dogs and cats. Feline AIDS is up 48%. Testing for the disease early on is important. Cats who aren't born with the illness can still contract it through bite wounds. Lyme disease in dogs is also on the rise, up 21%, but there is a vaccine and it can be prevented. The increase is due in part to better testing and increased awareness.

An Asbury Park man is charged with causing a riot on Memorial Day during a police investigation of a Neptune shooting on Myrtle Avenue. Wilbert "Fubu" Mesidor is accused of escaping from cops who were trying to arrest him on outstanding warrants.

Where are the most exciting places to live in NJ? A survey from the real estate site Movoto says Hoboken, Long Branch, Atlantic City, Trenton and New Brunswick.