Still Expecting a New Pier, Ferry in the Area

City working through environmental concerns with DEP

It's a project that's been in the works for several years now. Long Branch officials say they are still looking to build a pier/ferry in the future. The city has already chosen a design for the pier, which would be located in Pier Village, would have restaurants, entertainment venues, retail stores, amusements, and a ferry service to Manhattan. Long Branch Business Administrator Howard Woolley said the project is currently facing some environmental issues. "We have some issues with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that we are trying to work through," Woolley said. "There is a substantial issue with tide lands and we're trying to get that resolved." The proposed pier and ferry platform would cost the city at least $100 …

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Man Found In Back Yard Died From Gunshot Wound

Prosecutor's office investigating death as a homicide

An autopsy performed on the man found dead in a Long Branch back yard on Wednesday has revealed that he died of a gunshot wound, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Public Information Officer Charlie Webster. Webster said the death of Michael Wells, 56, of Point Pleasant, is being investigated as a homicide. Webster said no arrests have been made in connection with Wells' death as of 3:15 p.m. on Thursday. Wells was an employee of Dutch Prime Foods, 235 West Ave., Long Branch, which is about a block away from the backyard at 215 Cleveland Ave. where his body was found. The homeowner of 215 Cleveland Ave. reportedly discovered Wells body on Wednesday morning and called police at 7:30 a.m. Wells was pronounced dead at 8:15 a.m…

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Hurricane Sandy

Report: Extreme Weather Events More Likely, More Often

Environmental New Jersey is calling for efforts to reduce carbon pollution.

On an interactive map of the United States that records the number of extreme weather events that have taken place over the last several years, New Jersey might as well be the black eye. The red, purples and magentas that color each of New Jersey’s 21 counties make up the wrong end of the weather-related disaster spectrum, marking the entire state as a recurring extreme weather target. Should nothing be done to curb pollution and carbon emissions, a recent report from Environment New Jersey Research and Policy Center details, expect that trend to continue. Just off of the beach in Long Branch Tuesday, with temperatures coincidentally hovering around an unseasonable 80 degrees, several officials gathered to discuss the new report, called “…

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Construction Begins on Pier Village Phase 3

Unknown completion date for project

Workers have begun construction of the third phase of Pier Village in Long Branch. Mayor Adam Schneider confirmed that site prep work was being conducted on Thursday. Schneider said there is no specific completion date for construction at this time. Construction will be done in phases, according to city officials. The first phase of the project will include: • 60 condominium units • A 59,810-square-foot hotel • 27,905 square feet of leasable retail space • An ocean-themed carousel • Boardwalk improvements and infrastructure, a children's play area and a stage. The second phase of the project will include: • 240 condominium units • 21,360 square feet of leasable retail space • A 286 space self parking garage with capacity for at least 600 …

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Nearby: Police Investigating Double Homicide

Homicides occurred in house on corner of Sairs and Eastbourne Avenue

The Long Branch Police are investigating a double homicide which occurred in a house on the corner of Sairs and Eastbourne avenues. Long Branch Public Safety Director Jason Roebuck confirmed a double homicide (or suspicious two deaths) on Monday night, but did not have any information on the victims or what happened. The home contains three stories and several apartments, but it is unknown where the incident occurred at this time. This is a breaking news story and it will be updated as soon as more information becomes available.

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FEMA Flood Maps Protested by Public

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection held a local public hearing. What do the new standards mean to you? Tell us.

A huge crowd of people from all over the state gathered at a Thursday night NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) public hearing in Long Branch to protest the potential adoption of FEMA's advisory base flood elevation (ABFE) maps as the new elevation standard for the the state. The crowd, mostly comprised of unhappy homeowners impacted by Hurricane Sandy, sounded off at Long Branch City Hall on the contentious issue. "The thought of increasing flood insurance premiums into the tens of thousands of dollars is daunting," Toms River resident Margaret Quinn said. Quinn lives in the Silverton section of Toms River, and said her house was more than 50 percent damaged. She, like so many others, has been displaced by the hurricane, and…

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Alleged Sovereign Bank Robber on the Loose

Man robbed bank on Monday afternoon

Police are searching for the man who robbed the Sovereign Bank in Long Branch on Monday afternoon, Acting Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said in a press release. "The suspect, who smelled of paint fumes, walked into the Sovereign Bank branch located at 600 Broadway in Long Branch at 5:59 p.m. Monday demanding cash from a teller before fleeing the scene on foot," the release said. "The suspect spoke English with a Spanish accent." He was described as a Hispanic male with an olive complexion, approximately 5'10" tall, weighing between 180 and 200 lbs. with a full black beard, wide nose and full lips, the release said. The suspect was wearing a Navy blue hoodie with paint specks and a Nike logo, a pair of gray sweatpants and was …

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Polar Bear Plunge: 4,000 Raise $1M

The annual event was moved from Seaside Heights because of Hurricane Sandy

More than 4,000 people participated in today's 20th annual Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics New Jersey in Long Branch. Over $1 million was raised by the event which was moved from Seaside Heights to Pier Village this year because of the devastation that area suffered at the hands of Hurricane Sandy. This is the first year the event has been held in Long Branch, and it is unknown whether or not it will return to the city next year If you have any photos or videos from today's plunge, please upload them to the article or send them to christopher.sheldon@patch.com

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Polar Bear Plunge Making Long Branch Debut This Weekend

Event to benefit Special Olympics will be held Saturday, Feb. 23

Long Branch has been chosen to host the Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics New Jersey event as Seaside Heights continues to efforts to restore its beachfront that was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. The 20th annual plunge held in Seaside Heights for the last six years, but Pier Village will host the charitable will this year's home for the charitable event which will take place on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 1 p.m. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. All plungers must raise a minimum of $100 to participate, and incentives will be given for higher fundraising levels. Thousands of people participate in the Polar Bear Plunge each year, with over 5,900 brave souls jumping into the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean last February in Seaside Heights. …

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